Commissioner defends county administrator after tax error investigation

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Olmsted County Commissioner Mark Thein spoke in support of County Administrator Travis Gransee at the county board’s first meeting of the month, following a KTTC investigative report on a $1.5 million property tax error.

Last Friday, KTTC aired a half-hour report called “In the Name of Transparency,” the result of a four-month investigation into the people and processes involved with Olmsted County’s property tax system.

In April, the county identified a $1.5 million mistake with its 2026 tax levy. According to county officials, the error cost the average residential taxpayer an additional $10 to $30. The county described it as a data entry error. KTTC reviewed nearly 500 pages of internal emails to examine what happened.

Administrator responds to records request

In July, Gransee told KTTC he was sorry the station was continuing to investigate an issue he said had already been addressed.

“And the fact, you know, KTTC and you, in this case, I mean, want to continue to try to find out where the error occurred, who committed the error. You know that falls on me,” Gransee said.

Gransee said he was displeased by KTTC’s records request for personnel information to establish work experience, job descriptions and any disciplinary action against the county employees identified in the documents provided to KTTC. He said he was committed to protecting those employees while also protecting taxpayers.

Commissioner speaks during board meeting

Seventh District Commissioner Mark Thein addressed the report during his open time at the microphone during the board meeting.

“I just want to put it on the record that a local news agency did a half-hour expose of our accidental taxation, overtaxation, and in the end really all they can prove is that our leader Travis does a great job protecting his employees and I’m proud of the work he did in that interview,” Thein said.

Thein also commented on one of KTTC’s social media posts about the report, writing that Gransee “has fallen on the sword to protect his employees from public scorn.”

KTTC called Thein for further comment. He reiterated his position, telling KTTC that public employees should not be held to greater transparency standards because they are funded by tax dollars.

Thein was the board chairperson when the 2026 levy was approved last December.

KTTC has not received additional feedback from the county since the report aired.

“In the Name of Transparency” can be viewed in its entirety on the KTTC YouTube page. The investigation also examines redactions included in the records KTTC received and includes comment from a legal expert who said the redactions are cause for concern.

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