Commissioners appoint fair board member amid objections

McCOOK, Neb. - Commissioners faced a light agenda at Monday morning’s meeting of the Red Willow County Board of Commissioners. Chairman Ted Gans opened the meeting at the recently rescheduled time of 8:30 a.m.

Commissioners spent the first half-hour of the meeting reviewing payables. No citizen comments were offered, and although a session as the Board of Equalization was scheduled, County Assessor Lori Stevens had no items for consideration.

With the only action item of the day awaiting the arrival of Red Willow County Fair personnel, commissioners proceeded with the consent agenda and correspondence.

Routine approvals under the consent agenda included accounts payable totaling $208,453.48, a Community Acknowledgment Form for a Flood Plain Area, updates to the Health Department inventory, and an oversized load permit for Wardcraft Homes. Commissioners also approved a tractor lease for the fairgrounds.

Commissioners also took the opportunity to discuss and receive correspondence from the Red Willow County Treasurer, who provided an update on public tax sales, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation regarding the results of a cultural resource evaluation of a resurfacing project on South Highway 83 extending from 6.9 miles north of the state line to the McCook city limits. A Cultural Resource Evaluation assesses the potential impact of road projects on historic and archaeological sites. None were found in the evaluation.

Commissioners next addressed a vacancy on the Red Willow County Fair Board. The opening resulted from a previously unenforced residency requirement, which limits board membership to no more than two representatives from any one municipality, township, or precinct.

Chairman Gans summarized the situation, first citing the statute that prohibits having more than two board members from any municipality, township, or precinct. Gans explained that three members currently resided within McCook city limits—Don Klein, Jessica Meyers, and Galen Perry.

In the tradition of “last hired, first fired,” commissioners accepted the resignation of the newest member, Galen Perry. Board President Jo Teter emphasized that Perry stepped down voluntarily, and according to Teter, graciously.

Teter then said that several candidates had expressed interest in the vacancy and assured the board that each would be vetted to determine that their residences were in an appropriate geographic area.

Chairman Ted Gans had other plans, offering Derek Myers as his choice for the position. Arguing that responsibility is commensurate with authority, Gans said that if the County Commissioners were responsible for the actions of the board, then they should choose the members of that board.

Teter explained that decisions regarding the selection of board members were guided, in large part, by labor demands. Teter explained that members of the Fair Board were in fact, fair workers, and their family members were expected to be as well.

Single individuals, Teter argued, aren’t automatically disqualified from sitting on the board, but suggested that family involvement weighed strongly in the choice of a board member. Teter preferred, and expected, that the Fair Board would be able to solicit, screen and interview further applicants.

Gans thought otherwise, pointing out that the resignation had been received, that his choice for the position was present and that he wished to move forward with the vote.

Teter protested, saying that the move was unprecedented and told commissioners that this was the first time that the fair board was not allowed to offer input into the decision.

After a short discussion, Randy Dean moved to appoint Myers to the Fair Board for a term ending in December 2027. Gans seconded the motion, and a vote was taken. Commissioners voted 2-1, with Fritsche voting against.

With the vote finalized, Myers will serve on the board until December 2027, filling the seat vacated by Perry.