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Jasper County supervisors evaluate county engineer, urge succession training and broader public communication
Summary
The Jasper County Board of Supervisors reviewed County Engineer Mike Frietsch’s performance in a special April 28 session, praising his project management and fiscal conservatism while urging improved employee training for leadership succession and wider public outreach; the board then unanimously adjourned.
The Jasper County Board of Supervisors met in a special session April 28, 2026, to hear an employee evaluation of County Engineer Mike Frietsch and left the meeting urging stronger succession planning and broader public communication.
Board members said Frietsch communicates well with his staff and with other county departments, holds monthly staff meetings, and emphasizes conservative budgeting to "get the most out of the dollar." They praised his project-management skills and organizational priorities but said he should do more to train employees to step into leadership roles in the event of retirements and to communicate project changes to all affected citizens, not only adjoining landowners.
At the request of Engineer Mike Frietsch the Board entered open session for the evaluation. During the review, the supervisors noted Frietsch "does not like to micromanage his employees" and called for more explicit training so staff can cover leadership responsibilities if someone leaves. The board also commended Frietsch for staying current on rules and laws affecting Secondary Roads and for seeking new ideas to improve processes.
Frietsch himself characterized his strongest skill as project management and acknowledged that managing employees was an area for improvement. The minutes record the Board’s direction to emphasize employee development and to expand public outreach about projects that may affect residents beyond adjacent property owners.
After completing the evaluation, Supervisor Talsma moved to adjourn the special meeting; Supervisor Cupples seconded. The board voted unanimously in favor (Thad Nearmyer, Talsma, Cupples). The minutes were signed by Jenna Jennings, Auditor, and Thad Nearmyer, Chairman.
No formal disciplinary action, appointment, or budget decision was recorded in the minutes. The session appears to have been limited to the performance evaluation and the resulting informal direction to staff on succession planning and public communication.
