Herzet gets nod from commission
Commission plans to restructure road department
After months of discussion, deliberation, and interviews, Jim Herzet, acting county road and bridge superintendent, was promoted to fill the position.
Marion County Commission made the decision at nearly 1 p.m. Monday during a marathon session of its weekly meeting.
Following a five-minute executive session with county clerk Carol Maggard, the commission asked Herzet to return to the meeting.
Commissioner Randy Dallke made a motion to appoint Herzet to the position "until" restructuring of the department was completed. After clarification from the media, the commission indicated the decision was final and the position now was filled.
The position of road supervisor, currently filled by Phil Bowen and which Herzet had before being appointed to the supervisory position, will be determined when the restructuring takes place, said the commission.
Herzet was appointed acting road and bridge superintendent more than a year ago when Gerald Kelsey took a medical leave due to illness. In April, Kelsey resigned his position.
The commission advertised the position in numerous publications.
In other department business:
— The commission instructed Herzet to seek bids to overlay 290th Road and Old Mill Road. The work would be completed this fall.
The cost to overlay the roads was estimated at $900,000. Herzet said there was $283,000 available in the fund designated for the repairs and there was $936,958 in the capital improvement fund.
— Dallke said the commission needed to decide which roads to rock. He also said there was a need to replace one or two dump trucks or hire contractors to haul road rock.
Herzet was instructed to present bids for options regarding the purchase or lease of trucks.
— Herzet requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
