Erickson Chairs Johnson County Board

TECUMSEH - The Johnson County Board held its re-organization meeting on Jan. 7 and elected Jim Erickson as chairman.

Erickson expects most of the board’s attention to go toward storm and flood recovery from 2019.

Since the board approved a special use permit for the the Elk Creek mining project, he said there may be more activity on that.

Scotty Gottula, who has been board chairman since 2011, was elected vice chairman.

Commissioner Ted Evans was named to the Board of Equalization.

UN-L Extension Educator Jessica Jones presented her plans for 2020.

She is organizing two classes on “lunch and learn” regarding leadership and business development. An eight-week parenting class is planned at the First Baptist Church activity center.

Safety programs are also being planned for children at the Johnson County fairgrounds.

The board is also considering appointment of a county surveyor.

The Nebraska Legislature passed a law in 2014 that allows counties to keep the surveyor as an elected office or as an appointment of the board.

Brent Jorgensen will remain as surveyor, but commissioners are deciding if the office will be appointed in the future.