McGregor elected chairman again as Board reorganizes

HARTINGTON – In its first meeting of the new year, the Cedar County Board of Commissioners re-organized.

Dave McGregor was approved as the board chairman, a post he has held for the last three years. Commissioner Dick Donner is vice chairman.

Mike Meier, Laurel, took his designated seat at the commissioners’ table for the first time. He was sworn in at the county courthouse last week, replacing Craig Bartels on the board. His district covers Randolph and Laurel.

Along with his commissioner work, Meier will serve on the Region IV Mental Health Board and the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Board.

The newly opened Brunswick State Bank, Magnet, was added as a county depository.

Along with hearing regular reports from Roads Superintendent Carla Schmidt and Zoning Administrator Tim Gobel, the commissioners also discussed county holidays for 2025.

It was decided that the holiday schedule will be left up to the board’s discretion and will not necessarily follow federal or state designated holidays.

For example, for Christmas Eve 2024, the board decided to close the courthouse at noon even though the entire day was designated by the state as a holiday. The board also decided to stay open on the national day of mourning for former president Jimmy Carter’s funeral on Jan. 9. Alternatively, the courthouse is typically closed on the day after Thanksgiving, although it isn’t designated as a state or federal holiday. The board also discussed the bid by Y&Y Lawn Service, Laurel, for weed control at the courthouse and the county’s communications tower site. County Attorney Ron Temple then led the board in a 40-minute discussion in executive session but no action was taken when the Board returned to open session.