District Court Judge Angela Doyle swore in Shaunna Abrams as the new Webster County auditor, Luke Fleener for a second term as Webster County sheriff, and Bob Thode, Nathan Montgomery, and John Cochrane as Webster County supervisors. Thode was re-elected in November to his third term while Cochrane and Montgomery are new to the Board of Supervisors.

Cochrane and Montgomery join Supervisor Austin Hayek to give the five-member board a Republican majority.

During the first meeting of 2025 for the Webster County Board of Supervisors, Democratic Supervisor Niki Conrad was nominated to again serve as the board chair. Cochrane was the lone vote against Conrad. This is the third year that Conrad will serve in the role as chair for the supervisors.

Hayek was nominated as vice chair. His nomination was unanimously accepted.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Webster County Auditor Shaunna Abrams, right, embraces District Court Judge Angela Doyle Thursday morning after reciting the oath of office at the Webster County Courthouse.

Ryan Kehm was appointed as drainage attorney for 2025. Andy Stanberg was named weed commissioner for the year, and Jeff Johnson was named as planning and zoning administrator for 2025.

“Ryan has been our drainage attorney for some time and he does an excellent job,” said Conrad. “Andy has also been our weed commissioner for some time and does a wonderful job.”

The Messenger, Dayton Leader, and Gowrie News were named as the official newspapers of Webster County for 2025.

“I just want to say what a tremendous job they’re doing on keeping up with this and it’s exciting see them all back on with us again,” said Hayek.

Recommendations for the Board of Health were tabled until the next meeting as supervisors and County Attorney Darren Driscoll had questions about processes.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Webster County Supervisor John Cochrane shakes hands with District Court Judge Angela Doyle after taking the oath of office Thursday morning at the Webster County Courthouse.

The supervisors unanimously approved a resolution of support for the Webster County quality of life projects and the City of Dayton’s Destination Iowa grant.

“The state has asked each award recipient to update their resolutions regarding their funding commitment,” said Webster County Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove. “Dayton is using the county’s trail project as their match to their Destination Iowa grant for their community center.”

The next supervisors will be Jan. 14 at the Webster County Courthouse.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Webster County Supervisor Bob Thode talks with District Court Judge Angela Doyle after he was sworn in for this third term Thursday morning.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener recites the oath of office Thursday morning as District Court Judge Angela Doyle swears him in for his second term in office.