Webster County Supervisors reviewed an ordinance to rezone 40 acres, passed increased pay for election day officials and approved a new Magistrate Appointing Commission member Tuesday.

Rezoning

Supervisors held a public hearing and passed first consideration of a zoning ordinance to amend 40 acres of land at 1721 220th Street in Moorland from the A-1 agriculture preservation designation to A-2 transitional agriculture.

The ordinance, prompted by an application by Rodewald Family Farms LLC, is for property at the northeast corner of Hayes Avenue and 220th Street, which is currently used for a single-family home and accessory building, within a mile of over 15 other similar residences. Land to the north, south and west of the property are zoned as A-1.

The rezoning would be consistent with the A-1 to A-2 rezoning of an 8-acre parcel to the east of the property approved a year ago. The property in question, consisting primarily of timber, creek and hillsides, is not compatible with row cropping, as it has a corn suitability ratio of 17-25 – less than the 65 rating desirable for crop production.

The rezoning will allow the owners to build a new single-family home. Its current zoning designation only allows for a maximum density of two non-farm houses per quarter section. The desired zoning would allow four.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended unanimous supervisor approval. A second consideration will be held at the next supervisors meeting on Oct. 13.

Election pay

Supervisors passed a resolution increasing pay on election day from $12 per hour to $15 per hour for election precinct officials, and $13.25 to $16.25 for precinct chairs.

The extra pay will help the auditor’s office, which has had difficulty finding workers for the Nov. 3 election, and compensate them for the extra risks posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re expecting higher turnout, which means higher exposure,” said Doreen Pliner, county auditor.

Magistrate Appointing Commission

Supervisors approved the appointment of Janelle Groteluschen to fill a vacancy left on the Magistrate Appointing Commission by Patricia McLoud’s departure.

The commission appoints new Webster County Magistrate Court judges.

Groteluschen, a retired court clerk with 43 years of experience in the judicial branch, worked with Webster County magistrate and associate judges from 1973 to 1991.

“I believe my experience with the court system and knowledge of the duties of the magistrates makes me a good candidate for the position,” she said in her application.