Muehlenkamp sworn in as Dist. 1 Commissioner

Chase County Commissioners Jacci Brown and Kurt Bernhardt welcomed newly appointed District 1 Commissioner Billie Muehlenkamp at their Tuesday meeting.
Muehlenkamp, previously the county’s zoning administrator and roads secretary, was one of four applicants interviewed by County Clerk Wendy Moe, County Treasurer Becky Bernard and County Attorney Joel Burke on July 6.
After interviews with Muehlenkamp, Terry Bilka, Chuck Vette and Art Barrett, Moe, Bernard and Burke went through five motions nominating either Bilka or Muehlenkamp, before Muehlenkamp was approved with Bernard and Burke voting yes.
Muehlenkamp’s first meeting Tuesday was low key. The commissioners moved through their agenda in about an hour before recessing prior to their Board of Equalization meeting at 10:30 a.m.
During open forum, Clay Lotspeich volunteered his evenings and weekends to help the county’s road department catch up. With the winter, spring and summer moisture, road crews have struggled to keep up. Brown said Lotspeich would fall under the county’s temporary employee policy.
County auditor Don Wilson appeared before the board for the signing of the compliance examination and to check in with the board on this year’s audit, as well as his questions concerning Imperial EMS after last year’s audit. Wilson was satisfied with the changes the county has made with payments to Imperial EMS.
Veteran’s Service Officer Duane Todd was also on hand. Todd presented minutes from the Veteran’s Service Office Board and visited with the commissioners about his hours and trainings he has attended.
Along with Todd’s visit, Armando Villarreal was reappointed to the Veteran’s Service Board.
The next meeting of the commissioners with be July 25 at 8 a.m.