Posted: 1/9/08
Schultz to lead county board in ‘08
 Commissioner Lynn Schultz |
By MaryHelen Swanson
Chisago County District 1 Commissioner Lynn Schultz takes the lead role at the county board table and will be running the show as the commissioners make decisions in 2008.
Schultz was unanimously elected by her peers Jan. 8 to be chairman of the board of commissioners following nomination by Commissioner Mike Robinson. He was chairman in 2007.
Also nominated for the leadership position was Bob Gustafson, by commissioner Rick Greene.
Upon being elected, Schultz said "we all have our leadership styles," adding that leaders do not create followers, leaders create leaders.
She asked that the board address its work this year with collaboration and cooperation.
She said the right people doing the right things for the right reasons will accomplish good things.
She challenged her peers not to be self-serving as they direct the county business.
"Let's move forward with a positive attitude," she said.
Following the selection of chairman, Schultz ran the remainder of the annual organizational meeting Tuesday.
There were three nominees for vice chairman: Greene by Commissioner Ben Montzka, Gustafson by Robinson and Montzka by Robinson.
Greene received one vote, Gustafson received three votes and Montzka one vote. Commissioner Gustafson was elected vice chairman.
The board had a little more difficulty in adopting Roberts Rules of Order, the protocol by which they conduct business at the meetings.
In the last moments of 2007, the board eased up on strict adherence to the rules, as they had a time or two during the year.
As the motion to adopt the rules was made, Commissioner Gustafson suggested a friendly amendment that would allow for exceptions as allowed in the past.
But County Attorney Janet Reiter, when asked for her opinion, said if the board is setting a policy and is not specific in those areas of exceptions, it could raise questions later on.
She recommended that the board adopt the rules outright or articulate on the exceptions.
In the end, the board adopted Roberts Rules of Order without exception by a 3-2 vote with Montzka, Schultz and Robinson voting yes and Greene and Gustafson no.
Chairman Schultz suggested each commissioner make a list of exceptions to the rules they would like considered and the board would discuss them later at another meeting.
The board went on to adopt the Rules of Conduct for board meetings. That vote was unanimous.
The meeting schedule will be the same as 2007, with three meetings a month, the first and third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and the fourth Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Gustafson would have preferred two daytime meetings, so county employees don't have to attend night meetings.
Robinson asked who the board was holding the meetings for - the public or the staff?
Board clerk Deanna Lilienthal noted that many from the public show up at the second evening meetings when zoning issues are addressed.
Montzka also noted that since the commissioner's job is a part-time job, it's important to keep the schedule the same.
And it will be.
Addressing the official paper for legal publications was made easier this year as county staff, including the county attorney had prepared specifications for the bid.
Following the attorney's advice that the low bid must be accepted, the board on a 3-2 vote approved the combined bid of the Chisago County Press/Cambridge Star at $3.48 per column inch. The award was for a three-year contract for the first time. Historically, the board has appointed the official paper on an annual basis.
The combined bid was also awarded the first publication of the county financial statement, when the chairman stepped down to second Montzka's motion. The vote was 3-2 with Robinson abstaining and Green opposed.
The delinquent tax list was also awarded to the combined bid with Montzka and Schultz for, Robinson and Gustafson abstaining and Greene opposed.
The Post Review was awarded the bid for the second publication of the financial statement.
In other business:
• The beaver bounty stays the same at $30.
• Meal reimbursements are the same, with some changes in time frame for meals.
• The mileage reimbursement was increased to the federal amount of $.50.5.
• The ditch levy was approved.
• Committee assignments were approved, basically the same as last year and several citizens were appointed to various boards including: Dick Daniels (Dist. 1) and Frank Storm (Dist. 4) to the Board of Adjustment; Jim Froberg (Dist. 1) and Frank Storm (Dist. 4) to the planning commission, and Dick Daniels (Dist.1) to the Extension Committee .
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