Sand Lake council appoints new trustees and village president in reorganization

The Village of Sand Lake completed a council reorganization at a special meeting on March 27, appointing four trustees and selecting a village president after following state-law vacancy procedures. Chris Stieg opened the meeting and the council quickly moved through candidate introductions and formal votes.

Under the process described at the meeting, Helton and Stieg noted that, because two current members would appoint the first two replacements and the newly expanded council would make subsequent appointments, the council would progressively fill the remaining vacancies. Stieg nominated Merritt and Helton nominated VanEtten; the council approved both appointments. Clerk Lewis administered oaths to Merritt and VanEtten before they took their seats.

With the enlarged council present, VanEtten moved to appoint Johnson to the council, and Merritt then moved to appoint Shirey. Both motions carried. The council then voted to appoint Hula as village president; the roll call recorded Shirey, Johnson, VanEtten, Stieg and Merritt voting yes and Helton voting no, and the motion carried. Hula deferred presiding and left the remainder of the meeting to Stieg. Later, Helton moved and Johnson supported a motion to appoint Stieg president pro tempore; the roll call recorded Stieg as abstaining and other members voting in favor.

Why it matters: The appointments complete the village's short-term governing roster and determine who will preside and represent Sand Lake as it addresses near-term decisions including personnel, finance and a pending interlocal fire agreement. The reorganization also sets the voting dynamics for forthcoming motions and budget choices.

The council proceeded to other agenda items after the reorganization.