STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -  Portage County is searching for a new Emergency Government Director. Sandra Curtis retired from that position Friday after 25 years.

County Executive Patti Dreier has appointed Curtis’ assistant Corinna Neeb as the Interim Director while the county seeks qualified candidates.  Neeb is also one of the people seeking the post permanently, but that decision will be up to the county after the Human Resources Department screens all qualified candidates.

Dreier is confident Portage County will get qualified candidates, even though there’s a shortage of them in the state right now.

The deadline for new applicants is this week. Dreier’s goal is to have a new appointment ready for County Board confirmation in January.

NOTE:  County Executive Patti Dreier's entire interview updating residents on several county issues is attached to this story.  Click the application above to hear it.