Custer County commissioners select Bill Canda as chair, name Lucas vice chair
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Summary
On Jan. 15 the Custer County Board of County Commissioners voted to name Commissioner Bill Canda chair and Commissioner Lucas vice chair for 2025 after a brief public comment period that included criticism and support of the chair’s record.
Commissioner Bill Canda was elected chair of the Custer County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, with colleagues also naming Lucas vice chair for the coming year.
The motion to appoint Canda as chair and Lucas as vice chair was proposed by Commissioner Bill Canda and seconded on the floor; commissioners voted aloud in favor. The board did not record a roll-call vote in the meeting transcript beyond multiple “aye” responses.
The decision came after a prolonged public comment period in which several residents spoke about Canda’s record. One speaker criticized Canda’s past actions including a 2021 county resolution and what the commenter described as promotion of election-related conspiracy theories. John Van Dorn asked the board to clarify the statutory limits of a chair’s powers. Supporters also spoke during public comment, with Jim McMahon saying he appreciated Canda’s positions and urging him to “stand strong.” Rob Klein offered public support for the commissioners generally.
County Attorney Anslinger and other commissioners outlined the chair’s formal responsibilities. Anslinger said the chair “runs the meeting” and, to the extent authorized by the rest of the board, signs documents that reflect the county’s position such as deeds. A commissioner present later said state law requires the first meeting of the year to occur on the second Tuesday of the new year and that a chair is appointed at that meeting; the commissioner added that the chair’s duties center on running meetings and ensuring the board’s decisions are carried out.
Commissioners and staff also discussed internal procedures: any commissioner may place an item on the agenda, and the chair’s role is primarily procedural and to sign documents authorized by the board. Several commissioners emphasized that they intend to operate as a team and to maintain shared responsibility for county business.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the appointments and public comment.
