Dawson County commissioners accept resignation of Commissioner Joe Richeson, appoint vacancy committee

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted July 15 to accept the resignation of Commissioner Joe Richeson, creating an open seat on the four-member board.

The motion to accept Richeson’s resignation was made by Commissioner Kevin Swanson and seconded by Commissioner Rod Reynolds; Commissioners Reynolds, Stewart, Swanson and Chairman PJ Jacobson voted in favor and the motion carried. The resignation was recorded during the regular meeting convened at 9:04 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Room at the Dawson County Courthouse in Lexington.

Immediately after accepting the resignation, the board moved to establish a process for filling the vacancy. Commissioner Bill Stewart moved and Commissioner Rod Reynolds seconded a motion to appoint a three-member commissioner vacancy committee composed of the County Clerk, the County Attorney and the County Treasurer. The board voted unanimously to approve the committee, which the board said will follow statutory procedures for recommending a replacement for the unexpired term.

County Clerk Michaela Arndt was identified on the record as a committee member; the county attorney and county treasurer were designated by office but not named in the meeting minutes. The board did not announce a timeline for committee deliberations or a date for a candidate recommendation during the meeting record.

The board adjourned the regular session at 9:27 a.m.; later on the same day the commissioners held a budget workshop with the budget committee that concluded at 12:37 p.m.