Michael DeRoss Elected New Logan County Board Chairman

 

[September 26, 2024] 

On the evening of September 26th, the members of the Logan County Board met for a special regular board meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to accept the resignation of former chairman of the board Emily Davenport. Davenport was elected chairman back in 2018 and has been in the position since. In attendance for this meeting were former chairman Emily Davenport, vice chairman Dale Nelson, Michael DeRoss, Keenan Leesman, JR Glenn, Joseph Kuhlman, Bob Sanders, Kathy Schmidt, Gil Turner, Jim Wessbecher, and Hannah Fitzpatrick. Julie Bobell was not in attendance.

The meeting, which took place in the first-floor courtroom of the Logan County Courthouse, was kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a time for public comments. When no comments were given, Nelson, who was leading the meeting, stated he would entertain a motion to accept Davenport’s resignation as chairman. DeRoss made the motion which was seconded by Turner. Before a vote was taken to accept Davenport’s resignation, Glenn took a moment to thank Davenport for her service as chairman. “I think we need to recognize Mrs. Davenport for her service as chair and for all the work she’s done for the county… Thank you for your service.” Schmidt voiced an appreciation for Davenport’s service as well, thanking Davenport for all the time she has sacrificed.

The vote was taken, and Davenport’s resignation as chairman was unanimously accepted. Afterwards, Nelson then opened the floor for a motion to accept nominations for a new chairman. This motion, too, was made, seconded, and unanimously passed, after which nominations could officially be made.

Turner started off the nominations by officially nominating DeRoss. After, Schmidt officially nominated Nelson, which was seconded by Sanders. Nominations did not need to be seconded for them to be accepted. The third and final person to be officially nominated was Bobell, nominated by Glenn. Leesman then asked if each person nominated would be able to give a short speech and state their intentions for the chairmanship.

DeRoss spoke first, stating that his most valuable asset as chairman would be time. “I have the time to do it,” said DeRoss. “I have that commitment where I can go to all these meetings, I can be in the office, I can take the phone calls, and field the problems.” DeRoss then began to speak on wanting to put the board in a higher standing with the county. “Right now,” he continued, “I don’t think we’re getting the respect we deserve for many reasons.” DeRoss then shared a desire to move the meeting location of the board to the Oasis. DeRoss also shared an interest in changing the structure of the committees. He stated the committees have had problems getting quorums, or enough people for official government action to be allowed to take place. Each committee is currently sitting at six people board members, with four needed to be in attendance to make a quorum. “The quorum for six is four,” DeRoss said, “but the quorum for seven is also four.” DeRoss stated that if the number of board members allowed to be on the committee were increased by one, it could increase the chance of achieving a quorum. “That may eliminate some of these rescheduled meetings,” DeRoss said.

Next, it was Nelson’s turn to speak. Nelson started off by sharing that he has learned a lot in the two and a half years he has been on the board. Nelson agreed that restructuring committees could benefit the board’s effectiveness. Nelson also spoke into the division among the board, stating that this pushes the board members to challenge each other. “I know we are kind of divided,” stated Nelson, “but I think that’s a good thing to be divided because we challenge each other.” Nelson continued by stating that learning how to be challenged is important. “That’s how we understand things, question things, know what we’re voting for.” Nelson also made the point of there being a lack of transparency among board members and committees, using the Courthouse restoration as an example. He also spoke about the board’s transparency with the community. “I think we’re not as transparent sometimes with the community on what we’re doing and where we’re at… That’s one thing that I would like to change.” Nelson further shared the importance of effective communication before speaking briefly on his experience with leadership outside of the county board. Nelson also stated his support of board members being emotional, stating that this is a good thing as what they are doing and voting on impacts more than just them. Nelson further stated that he would like to see the board become more proactive and forward thinking than reactive.

Leesman then asked one question of each of the candidates. Of Nelson, he asked if he was going to have the time. Nelson responded by saying that he would, and that his military duties will be less for the next three years. Of DeRoss, Leesman asked if he believed he would have the temperament. DeRoss stated that he believed he would, sharing that there is a time and place for emotion, as Nelson stated earlier.

He also admitted that he has made mistakes in not letting the chairman handle certain situations, referring to a situation back in August’s regular board meeting where he addressed a member of the community in a way that many board members believed was too harsh.

Wessbecher then asked DeRoss to go into further detail regarding his leadership qualifications. DeRoss went into detail regarding his experience with leadership in the military. Among other qualifications, DeRoss explained that he was an NCO (non-commissioned officer) as well as the Post Commander for a VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

Sanders then voiced his concern with the direction the board is going. “I’m not real happy with the way the board’s going… there’s times where it looks like a dysfunctional family. There’s been personal attacks, which is ridiculous… They’ve made it personal, and it makes me sick.” He then asked how either of the candidates would remain neutral as the chairman. Nelson spoke into this, stating that he goes into meetings not taking things personal, but that some people are not open to being challenged. He went on to further state that he had admitted when he was wrong in this way. Sanders pointed out that this does not seem to stop the behavior, to which Nelson stated that it goes both ways. Nelson stated that board members need to work on not taking being challenged personally. “If someone challenges me or vice versa… we shouldn't get upset because we’re challenging each other and asking questions.”

DeRoss responded to Sander’s question by stating that the chairman is supposed to be “completely neutral.” DeRoss stated that if the chair wishes to debate, they need to relinquish the chair to the vice chairman so they can step in and make comments. “The chair should never get personal. They should follow rules. There are rules for debate, and they should be followed.”

Former chairman Davenport then spoke up, sharing some of what she has learned during her time as chair. “Time,” she stated, “that is the number one thing.” Davenport went into detail, sharing just how much of a time commitment being chairman is. “I can’t tell you over the last six years how many vacation days I have burned through… You have got to be able to drop everything if something comes up.” Davenport also shared the importance of understanding that the chairman cannot make decisions on their own. “I’m one of twelve,” Davenport said. “I don’t make decisions on my own.” She further stated that everything deserves to come before the board to be discussed.

After Davenport’s comments and Nelson expanding on his previous leadership qualifications, the board voted unanimously to close nominations. They then moved into a vote for the chairmanship. It was stated that the order they vote is determined by the order in which they were nominated, with DeRoss being first, Nelson being second, and Bobell going last. Nelson shared that current statute states that, to win, a candidate must receive a majority of votes from the present board members. Seeing as eleven of the board members were present, that majority was six.

The board then began voting for the chairman position, starting with DeRoss. These were the votes of each present board member:


• Davenport: Yes
• DeRoss: Yes
• Fitzpatrick: Yes
• Glenn: No
• Kuhlman: No
• Leesman: Yes
• Nelson: No
• Sanders: Yes
• Schmidt: No
• Turner: No
• Wessbecher: Yes


After the vote, it was shared that DeRoss received six votes and therefore won the chairman position. He assumed the chair from Nelson and then moved the board into executive session, requesting that all present guests leave the room.

[Matt Boutcher]