Swift County sheriff plans to retire before end of term

BENSON -- Swift County Sheriff Scott Mattison is retiring prior to the end of his four-year term. He submitted his resignation Tuesday to the Swift County Sheriff's Department and will continue to serve until May 18.

He's worked in the county sheriff's department for 15 years.

Chief Deputy John Holtz was appointed this week to fill Mattison's unexpired term, starting May 19.

Holtz intends to run for sheriff this fall, County Auditor Byron Giese said.

Bob Borden, a former Benson police sergeant who lost a close race to Mattison in 2006, also intends to run for sheriff in November.

The change in leadership is one of many expected in the sheriff's department.

Giese said it's possible that about a fourth of the department's 21-member staff could retire by the end of the year.

Besides Mattison, a correctional officer also submitted his resignation on Tuesday, which resulted in hiring additional staff.

Giese said the commissioners have been informed it's possible four more people will retire, including deputies who've worked for the county for more than 30 years and dispatchers who are in their 60s.

"It's a huge change in the sheriff's department," Giese said. "It's going to be a challenge."