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Polk County commissioners elect 2026 leadership, approve claims and permits
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Polk County Board of Commissioners elected Jerry Westring chairman and Ron Boruch vice chairman for 2026, approved most audited claims (with one abstention), reappointed several county officers, granted a special alcohol permit and authorized bridge project bidding.
Jerry Westring was elected chairman of the Polk County Board of Commissioners for 2026 during the board’s Jan. 20 meeting in Osceola. Commissioner Ron Boruch moved the nomination; the motion was seconded by Boss and approved by roll call.
Boss then moved to elect Ron Boruch vice chairman for 2026; the motion was seconded by Westring and approved unanimously. The board reviewed membership of various county boards and agreed members will continue in the positions they currently hold.
The board designated the Polk County website (polkcounty.nebraska.gov) as an additional method for publishing meeting notices and for posting closure information about holidays, inclement weather and special meetings, a move the board approved by motion.
County claims were audited. Chairman Jerry Westring moved to allow the audited claims except for the claim submitted by Boruch Masonry Construction; that motion was seconded by Commissioner Boruch and carried by roll call. Separately, Commissioner Boss moved to approve the Boruch Masonry Construction claim for concrete work at the Osceola Road Shop and to authorize a warrant on the Road Fund. The motion was seconded by Westring and carried with Boruch recorded as abstaining.
The board reappointed Daniel J. Theis as Highway Superintendent, James L. Carlson as Weed Superintendent and Jerry Westring as Zoning Administrator for 2026. The board also appointed County Clerk Debra S. Girard to prepare the 2026–2027 county budget; all reappointments and the budget appointment were approved by recorded motions.
During an executive session to consider an application for burial assistance, which included the applicant’s next of kin and the County Clerk, the board recessed at 9:40 a.m. and reconvened at 9:45 a.m., stating for the record that no formal action was taken in executive session. After exiting, the board approved the burial assistance request by motion.
Crystal Gay asked the board for approval of a special designated permit to allow alcohol at an event on the Polk County Fairgrounds. The board voted to allow American Legion Post #91 to sell and serve alcohol on Feb. 14, 2026, in the Ag Pavilion; the motion passed on a roll call vote.
The meeting concluded with departmental updates from the Road and Weed departments and the board’s adjournment at 11:55 a.m. The board set future meetings for Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 2026.
