Residents question board appointments and annexation process at St John special meeting

Steven Jarzombek, a St John resident, told the council during the public‑comment period that several longtime town board members were removed last month over what he said was an unclear test of party affiliation and that county voter records he provided (dated 01/01/2026) show apparent inconsistencies in at least one sanitary board member’s registration address and primary‑voting history. "Taken together, that suggests a conflict of interest may exist if the Sanitary Board needs to render a decision on a matter involving a lot and controlled entity here in St. John," Jarzombek said, and offered copies of the county records to councilmembers.

Jane Wallace, who identified herself during public comment, urged the council to improve public engagement and questioned recent procedural changes to annexation, saying the process "seems to circumvent the plan commission." Wallace criticized council behavior during previous public‑comment rounds and asked how the town will update its 10‑year plan, fill the town manager position and address other unfilled roles, and adapt to SCA 1 changes affecting municipal funding. "If public comment here is not the proper format, nothing stops you from having a town hall," she said.

Council did not take formal action in response to either speaker’s requests during the meeting; after public comment the agenda moved on to Ordinance 18 90 and a series of appointments. The concerns raised about sanitary board affiliation and potential conflicts of interest were entered into the public record through Jarzombek’s submission of county documentation, but the transcript shows no council vote or staff directive recorded to investigate those specific allegations during the special meeting.