Polk County swears in Ross Pape as commissioner; board updates committee delegations

Ross Pape was sworn in as Polk County commissioner for District 5 during the board meeting when an official administered the oath and declared him invested in the office. Pape said he farms north of East Grand Forks, served in the U.S. Army and looks forward to “keeping Polk County going at a responsible rate.”

The board then proceeded with routine business. Commissioners moved and seconded approval of the meeting agenda and consent items; both passed on voice votes. After reviewing the committee list in the meeting packet, members agreed to several delegate and alternate changes: Ross Pape was added as an alternate for the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Committee, MRC delegation was reassigned, and Paul and Gary (last names not specified in the transcript) swapped certain committee roles. The changes were approved by motion and carried by voice vote.

Board members asked staff to reprint and distribute an updated committee list and agreed to notify affected organizations when delegates or alternates change. The meeting record shows no opposed votes on these procedural items.

The board moved on to the rest of the agenda after formalizing the personnel assignments and committee delegations.