Termination of City Clerk-Administrator Dave Engstrom and Reported Legal Action
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 2
In October 2025, the City of Lake St. Croix Beach voted to terminate City Clerk-Administrator Dave Engstrom after approximately eight years in the role.
The decision followed a performance improvement plan and a public discussion during a city council meeting.
According to reporting by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Engstrom indicated he intended to pursue legal action against the city, including claims related to age discrimination.
Overview
Dave Engstrom served as the City Clerk-Administrator for Lake St. Croix Beach beginning in October 2017.
In 2025, following his first formal performance review during his tenure, the city council placed him on a 90-day performance improvement plan addressing several areas, including communication and attendance-related concerns.
Timeline of Events
July 2025 — Performance Review and Improvement Plan
The city council initiated a 90-day performance improvement plan following a performance review.
October 20, 2025 — Termination Vote
The city council voted 3–2 to terminate Engstrom’s employment.
October 2025 — Public Meeting Discussion
Discussion regarding the performance review and termination took place during a public meeting.
November 2025 — Reported Legal Action
According to reporting by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Engstrom stated that he intended to pursue legal action against the city, including claims related to age discrimination.
Additional Context
Public reporting indicates that Engstrom, age 71 at the time of his termination, had served as the city’s top administrative official for approximately eight years.
The termination followed a relatively short review period compared to the length of his tenure.
Notes
This page documents publicly available information related to the termination and subsequent reported legal action.
Additional records, including meeting minutes, performance documentation, and any legal filings, may be added as they become available.
Sources & Documents Referenced
St. Paul Pioneer Press — Article published November 3–4, 2025
City Council Meeting (October 20, 2025)
