Faribault building official Al Ernste heads to Prior Lake

Prior Lake American

A new face will soon join the ranks at Prior Lake City Hall — new building official Al Ernste.

Ernste, who is the current building official at the city of Faribault, was hired after the current building official at Prior Lake, Bob Hutchins, announced his retirement.

“We’re anxious to have Alan on board, but we’re going to miss Bob,” City Manager Frank Boyles said. “He’s done great work in Prior Lake.”

Ernste started work on Jan. 29. He said he had been in talks with Prior Lake since around Thanksgiving and is excited at the prospect of working in Prior Lake.

“I like the layout, that it had a lake running through it,” Ernste said. “It’s very busy — it’s a great housing community. It’s got a lot of other proposed projects coming up that are interesting.”

Ernste said he loves building codes and is looking forward to inspecting the nicer homes along the lake.

“With the lake running through there they get some pretty nice homes along the lake and I’m looking forward to inspecting them,” Ernste said.

Ernste has a good reputation in Faribault, Boyles said. The city was looking for someone who was customer-service orientated, which Ernste is, Boyles said.

“We want every one of our departments to be customer-service oriented and we heard that when the rubber hits the road, that’s the kind of guy Alan is,” Boyles said. “Alan is a guy who is very positive, upbeat and yet very straightforward in his business and personal affairs.”

Ernste said it’s not decided yet whether he’ll move to Prior Lake or do the commute.

“With that said, it’s always nicer to be in the community,” Ernste said.

In his personal life, Ernste said he’s a “sports nut.”