The Madison County Board of Supervisors at its meeting Tuesday approved a slate of organizational appointments, naming Heather Stanzel chairman and Diane Fitch and Jessica Hobbs vice chairmen and assigning supervisors to oversee county facilities and to represent the county on outside boards.

Speaker 5 read a resolution that listed the appointments: "Chairman, board of supervisors, Heather Stanzel; vice chairman, board of supervisors, Diane Fitch and Jessica Hops," followed by facility assignments including general supervision of the courthouse and annex, human services buildings, the Elderly Services Building and the ambulance building. The board moved, seconded and adopted the resolution by voice vote.

The appointments allocate specific oversight responsibilities: the courthouse, annex and park grounds; human services facilities; the Elderly Services Building; and the ambulance building and grounds. Supervisors confirmed that some outside seats the county holds are advisory or nonvoting, including historic‑preservation and certain regional boards, and agreed to balance assignments so each supervisor carries about six external roles.

During the discussion, supervisors reviewed specific board assignments and noted inconsistencies between the county packet and online lists for some commissions. They finalized placements for Aging Resources, the Covered Bridge Preservation Board, the Madison County Development Group, Central Iowa Community Services (CICS), Iowa Workforce and several county committees such as the courthouse security and county safety committees. A supervisor also noted the county has not been active in some grant programs (see related coverage below).

Votes at a glance
- Motion to amend the agenda to add discussion and set meetings for budget work sessions — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution appointing chair, vice chairs and facility supervisory assignments — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution requiring the board to act as a unit in supervision of county business — approved by voice vote.
- Designation of the Winterset Madisonian as the county's official newspaper — approved by voice vote.
- Approval of annual liquor/home wine license for Duran Wine LLC (Madison County Winery) at 321 Saint Charles Road — approved by voice vote.

Why it matters
Organizational appointments set who will serve as the county's primary points of contact for facility issues and who will represent Madison County on regional and state‑level boards that allocate resources and set policy. The distribution of those assignments affects oversight of public buildings, grant applications and intergovernmental coordination.

What’s next
Supervisors scheduled follow‑up work on board assignments and signalled they will adjust representation if duties prove burdensome. A closed session on an employee matter was requested and tentatively scheduled to occur immediately after the board's next regular meeting on the 14th.