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Ad hoc assignment committee elects Supervisor Bornhoff chair and approves draft committee assignments
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Summary
Marquette Countyad hoc assignment committee elected Supervisor Bornhoff as chair and approved a draft set of supervisor assignments to standing committees, aiming for two assignments per supervisor while balancing experience, geography and incumbency.
Supervisor Bornhoff was elected chair of Marquette Countyad hoc assignment committee and opened the group's first meeting by urging equitable committee representation, saying the committee should "find 2 assignments for every 1 of our 17 members." The panel then began placing supervisors on standing committees and approved the draft list by motion at the meeting's close.
Bornhoff, responding to early nominations, told the group they were "in uncharted waters" because the assignment committee is new and urged transparency in preserving citizen seats on boards. "Citizen members should be citizen members," Bornhoff said, arguing that parks already requires two county-board seats (the county board chair and the highway chair) and that additional county supervisors should not occupy citizen slots.
Committee members worked committee-by-committee, starting with planning and zoning, where nine supervisors asked for five seats. The group discussed a mix of seasoned and new supervisors to preserve expertise while bringing newer members into county work. Members repeatedly noted practical constraints including supervisors' schedules, meeting times and remote-attendance needs when placing people on committees such as highway and judicial and public safety.
On human services the committee clarified there were only two open seats because multiple members hold staggered terms. That exchange also raised concerns about immediate reappointment of recent employees: one member urged waiting a term before appointing a former county employee to oversight roles, citing potential conflict-of-interest perceptions.
The committee paused for members to review names on a visible board and returned to read aloud the draft assignments. After a brief recess the group voted to accept the assignments as presented. The chair then proposed, and the committee approved, a motion delegating authority to the chair and vice chair to make appointment changes only if a designee declines an assignment; the committee will reconvene if more substantive changes are needed.
Committee members flagged a few follow-ups: the Economic Development Committee (EDC) requires clearer information about meeting frequency and responsibilities before final placement; Lake District appointments and several citizen-member slots will be confirmed with district supervisors or held as reserves; and one supervisor requested reassignment only if the new committee agrees to schedule meetings at feasible times for remote participation.
The ad hoc assignment committee completed its work and dissolved, with the chair and vice chair authorized to make only limited follow-up changes if individuals decline seats. The group said it will return if consensus-level issues arise or an appointee declines.
