By Terry Bailey
The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their regular meeting at the Courthouse, Monday, August 12. All Commissioners and the County Clerk were present for the meeting. The Commissioners faced a full agenda of business items.
The meeting started with a 15 minute executive session with Terrance Silva, Director of Communications, to discuss non-elected personnel. No action was taken as a result of that closed session.
Next up was a 15 minute executive session with David Dohe, Director of Emergency Management, for the purpose of discussing Courthouse security. No decisions were made but Tom Claussen, Chairperson of the Commissioners, said, "This will be an ongoing discussion and there is more to come."
The Commissioners turned their attention to canvassing the ballots from last Tuesday's primary election. Heather Weston, County Clerk, had 19 provisional ballots for the Commissioners to consider. Of that total, 13 ballots were accepted as viable ballots and six were not. Of those accepted, they were questioned because of getting married and a name change or moving within the county. Unacceptable ballots had questions such as wanting to change party affiliation at the voting site or not being a registered voter.
There was a tie for the position of Turkey Creek township treasurer between Dale Konzem and Cade Hewitt. Each received five votes, necessitating a coin flip to decide the winner. Dale Konzem won the coin flip and will take that position.
An open hearing was called to order to consider the budgets for 2025 for the townships, the fire districts, and Mitchell County. With nobody appearing to speak for or against the proposed budgets, the Commissioners voted to accept these proposed budgets and officially vote on them at the next Commissioners meeting.
David Porter, a citizen of Mitchell County, was present. When asked if he had any comments or questions, he held up the Beloit Call with headlines about the proposed high energy transmission line perhaps coming through Mitchell County. He was vocal in his opposition to the project especially with it seemingly veiled in secrecy. He said it was very hard to get any kind of answer to his questions.
The Commissioners expressed understanding of his frustrations. They too have faced a lack of information and greatly reduced timelines on hearings on the matter. It is hard to determine if this situation is intentionally the way it is or if it is simply bureaucratic mishmash.
Marty Hernandez, Superintendent of Public Works, told the Commissioners he had a truck with a bad motor. He said his plans are to put a new motor in the truck because it is otherwise a sound vehicle. He said he plans to chip seal twenty miles of road each year.
The meeting ended with a 20 minute executive session. No decisions were made as a result of that closed session.
Having dealt with all the items on the printed agenda, the meeting was adjourned.