Supervisor objects to Prairie Meadows appointments, citing potential conflict; staff says Racing & Gaming found no conflict

A contentious exchange occurred during the April 8 Polk County Board of Supervisors meeting when a supervisor objected to a resolution removing and replacing four Prairie Meadows appointees.

The supervisor said the county’s relationship with Prairie Meadows has been nonpartisan and beneficial, and said removing appointees without cause ‘‘takes me in pause.’’ He specifically raised concern about one proposed appointee who ‘‘was president of the Wild Rose Casino for many years’’ and asked whether that person retained any affiliation with Wild Rose and whether that affiliation would create a conflict for serving on the Prairie Meadows board. The supervisor said he would vote no on the resolution and submitted a letter from Jim Gorschi into the record expressing similar concerns.

Frank (county staff) responded that staff had met with candidates and checked with Racing and Gaming, which he said identified no conflict. Frank said the candidate’s prior experience with a competitor gives useful industry knowledge, noting the appointee had worked at Prairie Meadows in the past and at Polk County. Frank argued the appointment would bring ‘‘a great deal of knowledge’’ to the Prairie Meadows board and help protect the county’s interests going forward.

The board proceeded with roll call votes on appointments; the meeting record shows the resolution moved forward despite the objection, and the supervisor’s vote against the appointments was recorded in the transcript.