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Dundy County removes sheriff in recall vote; board appoints interim chief as replacement
Summary
Voters removed Sheriff Clinton J. Smith in a Nov. 14, 2023 recall; the Dundy County Board certified the result and later appointed Chief Deputy Ryan King as sheriff on Dec. 18, 2023, conditional on establishing county residency by Feb. 28, 2024.
Dundy County commissioners certified the results of a recall election on Nov. 15, 2023 that removed Clinton J. Smith from the office of county sheriff after 712 “yes” votes and 63 “no” votes were recorded. County Clerk Miles Preston announced the certified tally to the board and entered the result into the minutes.
The recall followed months of discussion at commissioners’ meetings about the sheriff’s eligibility to attend the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and possible related penalties. Commissioners recorded closed- and open-session discussions during which legal counsel described statutory certification requirements and potential administrative remedies.
After the recall was certified, the board followed state statute to identify an interim and permanent replacement. Chief Deputy Ryan King served as interim sheriff immediately under statutory succession. On Dec. 18, 2023 the board voted unanimously to appoint King as county sheriff, subject to a condition that he establish residency within Dundy County by Feb. 28, 2024; until that date the board designated him to continue as interim sheriff.
County Attorney Arlan Wine and board members said the appointment process included written applications and public interviews. The county attorney’s office prepared an application form and scheduled public portions and executive-session portions of interviews to allow examination of sensitive personnel and legal matters.
The board also recorded motions between September and November 2023 to withhold the sheriff’s salary when statutory certification obligations had not been met; those payroll actions and related legal questions were discussed at several public meetings and the subject of public comment, petitions, and legal correspondence.
What happens next: the new appointee must meet the residency requirement by Feb. 28, 2024 to complete the term; the county attorney will continue to coordinate statutory and personnel paperwork. The board said it will post any additional application materials and interview schedules as required by law.
