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Portage County board elects Dax Burrows chair in 13-12 vote; vice chairs and committee seats filled
Summary
Supervisors elected Dax Burrows chair in a 13-12 secret-ballot vote over Larry Rakowski. The board also chose Suzanne Oki as first vice chair (15–10), unanimously confirmed Nancy Eggleston as second vice chair, filled executive operations committee seats by voice vote, approved minutes and adjourned.
Supervisor Dax Burrows was elected chair of the Portage County Board of Supervisors in a secret-ballot vote, receiving 13 votes to 12 over Larry Rakowski.
Burrows, a newly seated supervisor for District 8, thanked colleagues after the tally. "I appreciate being selected for this position and I'm looking forward to a very productive next 2 years," he said. He then opened nominations for the board's vice-chair positions and committee slots.
Supervisor Suzanne Oki won the first vice chair position by secret ballot, with the chair announcing a 15–10 result over the other nominee. Nancy Eggleston was nominated and confirmed unanimously as second vice chair after the board agreed to cast a unanimous ballot.
The board filled seats on the executive operations committee and other internal assignments through a mix of voice votes and unanimous ballots. Several nominations were declined on the floor before the membership completed the slate; the clerk was directed in at least one instance to cast the unanimous ballot on behalf of the board.
The chair called for a motion to approve the March 17, 2026 minutes; the board approved the minutes and later moved to adjourn. The meeting concluded after the motion to adjourn carried by voice vote.
What happened and why it matters: The board’s leadership and committee assignments shape agenda-setting and committee review for the next two years; electing a chair by one vote reflects narrow divisions among supervisors and will influence how the board prioritizes policy and administration.
Votes at a glance: Chair — Dax Burrows 13, Larry Rakowski 12 (secret ballot). First vice chair — Suzanne Oki 15, other nominee 10 (secret ballot). Second vice chair — Nancy Eggleston (unanimous ballot).
