Harvey County commissioners reorganize leadership, approve committee rosters and several county business items

Harvey County commissioners held their regular meeting on Jan. 13, 2025, swore in newly elected county officers, elected a chair and vice chair for 2025 and approved a slate of committee assignments and several routine business items, including a land-lease assignment and the county’s warrant checks totaling $696,370.20.

The reorganization came at the start of the meeting after an oath-of-office presentation. Commissioners voted to name Commissioner Rick Schroeder chair and Commissioner Carrie Scott vice chair; the board also approved a slate of committee assignments and several department and civic appointments.

Why it matters: leadership and committee assignments determine who represents Harvey County on regional boards and which commissioners handle recurring operational matters, from emergency planning to economic development. The board’s routine approvals also finalized a property transaction and the county’s immediate bills, matters that affect county operations and cash flow.

Among the items the commission approved:

- Election of chair and vice chair: Commissioners approved a motion electing Commissioner Rick Schroeder as chair and Commissioner Carrie Scott as vice chair for 2025.

- Committee assignments: The board approved a slate of committee assignments that includes representation on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), the Newton City-County Aviation Commission, the Harvey County Public Building Commission and other regional boards. Commissioner Scott agreed to take several assignments previously held by outgoing Commissioner Randy Hague; Commissioner Shannon (County Administrator) coordinated assignment details.

- Oaths of office: The meeting included swearing-in of several county officials; the transcript records the oath ceremonies but the board’s votes afterwards focused on organizational matters.

- Appointment to Harvey County Public Building Commission: The board approved the appointment of Scott Seippel to the Harvey County Public Building Commission after staff presentation of his application.

- Mennonite Press/Avcon lease assignment and waiver: The commission approved a lease assignment and a waiver of the county’s right of first refusal to allow Avcon Industries to acquire improvements on county-owned land formerly occupied by Mennonite Press, a transaction the county attorney and city legal staff reviewed in advance.

- Letter of support for airport property marketing: The board approved a chair-signed letter supporting marketing of building V (620 North Oliver) at the Newton City-County Airport; local brokers will assist with auction and marketing steps.

- Approval of warrant checks: The commission approved warrant checks for Jan. 13, 2025, in the amount of $696,370.20. During the discussion commissioners asked about the county treasurer attending a legislative-update conference; the treasurer told the board she considered the conference prudent though not strictly required.

What the board did not decide: Commissioners discussed but deferred a countywide purchase-policy review related to department Amazon/online ordering; staff was asked to survey departments and report back.

The meeting included routine calendar and committee housekeeping and a reception planned for outgoing Commissioner Randy Hague. The board recessed for an executive session on non-elected personnel later in the meeting and returned with no action reported.

Provenance: The items summarized above appear in the meeting transcript between the call to order and the warrant-check vote; specific evidence spans for each formal vote are listed in the article metadata.