On Tuesday morning, at the annual reorganization meeting, the board voted to appoint Supervisor Niki Conrad to the chairperson role. Conrad represents District 4 in Webster County and was reelected to a second term last November.

Supervisor Nick Carlson, District 5, was appointed vice chairperson.

Previously Supervisor Mark Campbell, District 2, served as the board chair for several years, and Conrad served as vice chair for 2022.

Tuesday also marked the first board meeting for newly-elected District 1 Supervisor Austin Hayek, who was elected to replace the retiring Keith Dencklau. Dencklau retired after serving District 1 for 16 years.

In other business, the board approved the transfer of the title of a vacant lot in the Lincoln neighborhood of Fort Dodge. The property at 703 Fourth Ave. N., was the site of a February 2015 fire that took the lives of three. The burned remains of the home were demolished in October 2015.

The county has held more than $40,000 in tax liens on the property since June 2018.

Under the city of Fort Dodge’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan, the property is a site of potential redevelopment for the Lincoln neighborhood. With Tuesday’s board approval, the title of the property will be transferred to the city of Fort Dodge.

The supervisors were also given their board and committee assignments for the year.

Other appointments

Ryan Kehm was appointed drainage attorney for 2023.

Andy Stanberg was appointed weed commissioner for 2023.

Jeff Johnson was re-appointed planning and zoning administrator for 2023.

Beth Collins was re-appointed to the Conservation Board.

Ernie Kersten was re-appointed to the Board of Adjustment.

Tommy Smith and Tyler Lane were re-appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Marie Sheeder was re-appointed to the Veterans Affairs Commission.

Austin Hayek, Vickie Reeck and Sharon Stroh were appointed to the MIDAS Council of Governments Board.

Dylan Hagen was re-appointed as the disaster services coordinator for 2023.

The Messenger and the Gowrie News were named Official County Newspapers for 2023.