Five candidates interview for McLean County Board District 1; chair to recommend appointee Jan. 16

Five applicants for the McLean County Board District 1 seat gave five‑minute presentations and answered committee questions at the McLean County Executive Committee meeting, and Chair Johnston said she will make a recommendation to the full County Board on Thursday, Jan. 16.

The interviews took place after routine business. Each candidate summarized their background, civic involvement and priorities, and committee members asked about committee preferences, experience working across party lines and positions on local issues such as property taxes, wind and solar projects and proposed CO2 storage.

Jim Fisher, who said he has lived in the county since 1985 and described himself as active in local campaigns and the McLean County Republican organization, introduced himself: “My name is Jim Fisher, and I would like to be considered appointed to the chair left vacant by Catherine Metzger.” Fisher said he would be interested in serving on a committee that addresses taxes because, he said, property taxes are a substantial expense for him as a landowner. During questioning he described his public‑service history, including a past term on a Unit 5 school board, and discussed federal farm regulations he sees as burdensome.

A second applicant, who identified himself as a lifelong McLean County resident and described a career in farming and a drainage business, emphasized technical and association leadership experience and said transportation and health committee work were within his skillset. He told the committee that county zoning and fertilizer infrastructure have improved and that, personally, he would likely vote against CO2 storage because of “too many unanswered questions.”

Andy Ziebarth said he was encouraged to apply and discussed his long local ties, work at State Farm (currently in security) and prior township board service. Ziebarth said he would “serve where there’s the greatest need” and emphasized listening and building consensus. He said he is prepared to make time for committee work despite job responsibilities.

Another candidate, Mr. McKenzie, spoke briefly and said he represents small towns in District 1 and offered a fresh perspective; he declined to address a question about climate science during the interview and said he prefers to focus on district representation. He told the committee he would accept assignments “wherever you need a body.”

Josh Lee, who lives in North Normal, said he and his family have deep roots in the county, that he runs a small business and that finance committee work matches his experience in budgeting and purchasing. Lee said he would prioritize constituent concerns from rural parts of the district and noted his background on a university advisory board.

Committee members asked each candidate whether they had experience working across party lines. Member Layman said the board must “really work together” across party differences; several candidates gave examples of collaboration and said they would focus on constituent needs rather than party labels. Members also pressed candidates on practical matters such as time availability and specific committee interest.

Chair Johnston closed the interviews by asking board members to contact her with input and said she would make a recommendation at the County Board meeting on Thursday, January 16. “I will be making that recommendation on Thursday, January 16th at the county board meeting,” she said.