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HARTINGTON – For the first time in nearly 40 years, Cedar County has a new clerk.
Jessica Schmit was unanimously appointed as the new county clerk Jan. 9 during the board of commissioners’ first meeting of 2024.
“Everything is going well so far,” she said on Jan. 11 in a follow-up interview. “It’s been a crazy week since it started with sick kids and then all this (winter) weather. I have to remind myself several times a day what day it is.”
Longtime County Clerk Dave Dowling decided to retire from his position as 2024 began and presented his letter of resignation to the board of commissioners on Dec. 26.
Board Chairman Dave McGregor, who is entering his 18th year as a county commissioner, noted in a follow-up interview that during his time on the board, Dowling has always been helpful and supportive in his role as the county clerk. As the county clerk, Dowling had been the secretary to the county board of commissioners and the bookkeeper of the county. He also had been the register of deeds and the election commissioner for the county. “Dave has been an excellent clerk ... just a great person to work with,” McGregor said.
Schmit, who was hired in August to work for the county clerk’s office, will finish the current four-year term, which runs through December 2026.
The appointment of Schmit to replace Dowling was a part of the commissioners’ annual reorganizational meeting on Jan. 9.
The commissioners also appointed McGregor as the board chairman and Bartels as the vice board chairman for the calendar year.
They also approved the following board appointments: -District 1 (Donner): Region IV NorthStar Disabilities, Missouri River Advisory Group and National Scenic River District.
-District 2 (Bartels): Region IV Mental Health and Northeast Nebraska Public Health Board.
-District 3 (McGregor): Landfill and Solid Waste, Transit – Bus, Goldenrod Hills – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Northeast Nebraska Area on Aging.
Beautiful photo of the sun
