Appointed Officials

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Appointed Officials

Highway Superintendent: Ronald Wagner, Washburn, is the current Highway Superintendent. Appointed on an annual basis, he was named to the post in 1982 and has served since. The Highway Superintendent is in charge of the construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges; prepares schedules for road work; supervises road crews and equipment; and reports to the Board of Commissioners. Actual design of county road projects is done by a private engineering firm.

Disaster Emergency Services: The Director of Disaster Emergency Services is Todd Schreiner, Washburn. Schreiner was appointed to the post in 2000. This position is responsible for the organization and planning of dealing with all types of disasters, which can include natural disasters or war. The director is the county representative for obtaining surplus government property. The position is appointed annually.

Veteran's Service Officer: The County Veteran's Service Officer position is Todd Schreiner, Washburn. Schreiner was named to this post in 2000. This person is responsible for providing veterans with information regarding their benefits under federal and state laws; keeping up-to-date files on housing possibilities; reporting employment opportunities, both public and private; and performing other related services. The position is appointed annually.

County Agent: The current County Agent is Pat Carpentier of Washburn. He has served since June 1, 1976. The County Agent is appointed on the recommendation of the state extension division of North Dakota State University. Some of the duties of the position are providing professional advice to farmers; acting as secretary to soil conservation districts; supervising weed control programs; assisting 4-H clubs; and engaging in a variety of other forms of agricultural service. The office is also served by Vance Tomlinson, Weed Control Officer; Michelle Effertz, Extension Agent/4H Youth Development; Melanie Schlafmann, Extension Agent/FNP; and Janice Hanson , Extension Secretary. For more information regarding services provide please click on this link: McLean County Extension Services.

Tax Director/Land Use Administrator: Lauren Hunze fills a dual position, which is appointed annually. He has held the post since 1976. As Director of Tax Equalization, he helps local assessors of the county use uniform methods and procedures in assessing property and advises the county commission on property tax administration. You may look up property values in McLean County online as of February 2007. As Land Use Administrator he researches all zoning and land use issues for the county Zoning and Planning Board and implements all that board's decisions in accordance with county zoning regulations and state law.

Social Service Director: Effective January 1, 2007, the social service boards of McLean, Mercer, Oliver and Sheridan counties and the North Dakota Department of Human Services agreed to form one social service agency for the four counties entitled Dakota Central Social Service District. Steven Reiser is director of Dakota Central Social Services. His duties include overseeing the implementation and operation of all district Social Service and Human Service programs supported by local, state and federal funds. This includes the areas of program and personnel administration, budgeting and fiscal oversight of the social service district. Services provided by the district Social Services office include public assistance eligibility determination, child welfare services and home and community based services.

Coroner: The current county coroner is Ben Gehring, Garrison with Nathan Grubb, Washburn, serving as deputy. They are appointed on an annual basis. The coroner holds inquests by calling a coroner's jury anytime individuals are killed or die under suspicious circumstances. The jury is made up of three individuals chosen from residents of the county. The coroner also acts as the sheriff if the sheriff is disqualified or otherwise unable to exercise the duties of the office. The position is a part-time one.

This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 12:54 PM .

McLean County, 712 5th Avenue, PO Box 1108, Washburn, ND 58577