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Rick Peas wins Adams County board chair after runoff; board adopts clarified election rule
Summary
After a runoff, supervisors elected Rick Peas chair of the Adams County Board of Supervisors. The board also adopted Resolution 14 to clarify that subsequent election rounds include all candidates unless a candidate withdraws, and agreed to revisit rules for voting thresholds.
Rick Peas was elected chair of the Adams County Board of Supervisors after a runoff vote on April 21, 2026, defeating fellow supervisor Jerry Pal by a 12–8 margin and taking the gavel for a two-year term.
The board opened nominations and held an initial ballot in which no candidate received a majority (Jerry Pal 9, Rick Peas 7, John Dozel 4). Supervisors then held a runoff between the top two vote-getters; the clerk announced Rick Peas had secured a majority and the chair duties were turned over to him.
The leadership elections included additional officer votes. Jerry Pal was elected first vice chair after successive ballots. Balloting for second vice chair proceeded with multiple candidates and continued as the board handled other business.
The meeting also addressed board procedures. The board adopted Resolution 14, introduced by the board rules committee, which the presenter said clarifies that "in subsequent rounds all candidates will be included unless one of them withdraws," language consistent with Robert's Rules of Order as interpreted by the committee. A supervisor who raised the question said he wanted to ensure the board's practice matched written rules rather than relying on routine practice.
One supervisor who sought clarification asked whether majority or supermajority thresholds for borrowing and transfers apply to members present or to all members; the committee representative said most thresholds are calculated from members present but that some statutory requirements may differ and would require checking the statute. The board voted to adopt Resolution 14 (vote recorded as 18 yes, 2 no).
Several supervisors pressed for a future review of board rule seven to remove ambiguity and align local practice with the formally adopted language. The chair directed that members keep the issue in mind as the board moves forward.
What’s next: Peas assumes the chair role and the board will reconvene next week for appointments and orientation; members indicated they will review the board rules language further and may propose amendments if necessary.
