MINOT–The Ward County Commissioners elected Jim Rostad as the new chairman of the board Tuesday morning, Dec. 7.
Rostad explained how the duties of being chairman are “not new or shocking” to him, therefore he accepted the position.
“I don’t miss many county meetings. I think I pretty much know what’s going on with the limits of being a county commissioner… I’ve been here for 5 years, so I have a pretty good handle for what goes on in the county and feel I am prepared for it,” asserted the new chairman.
Rostad also said he has experience in being chairman of multiple boards over the years, and says he plans to exercise his understandings of Roberts Rules of Order to help monitor the flow of County Commissioners meetings.
Former Chairman John Fjeldahl expressed gratitude that Rostad was elected as new chairman. Fjeldahl will now continue his 4-year term as a commissioner.
The commissioners also elected John Pietsch as the new vice chairman.
Later in the meeting, Commissioner Shelly Weppler expressed concerns with the board’s decision to overlook planning and zoning regulations for multiple plat applications. Doug Diedrichsen, planning and zoning administrator, confirmed that each plat application was not in accordance with the current ordinances in the books. He further added that it was not his job to inform them on the legality of the situation, just if they were acting in compliance with Ward County’s zoning ordinances.
Ward County State’s Attorney Rosa Larson said she did not know the legal implications for going through with each plat application at this time. The board voted 4-1 to pass each plat, with Weppler voting no to all 4 unless the ordinances be updated in the near future.
The rest of the items on the agenda can be found here.
For more information on the terms, duties, and election process of County Commissioners, check the WCC website and ND Century Code.
