Appointee Named to Fill Vacant Floyd County Supervisor Seat

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors now has three new members officially set to serve the County.

Monday, a state-code-mandated-committee of the County auditor, recorder and treasurer, held a special meeting to appoint a replacement to fill the District 3 Supervisor seat. Jeff Hawbaker won the November 8th election, but 10 days later declined the nomination because he could not devote the time needed to serve.

A pair of applicants tossed their hats in the ring for the post, Jake Paulus of Floyd, a retired Army veteran now a maintenance technician at IMT in Garner; and James Jorgensen of Rudd, who owns and operates Jorgensen Farms. Jorgenson is also the brother-in-law of County Recorder Amy Assink.

In addressing any concerns over possible nepotism, County Auditor Gloria Carr read a legal opinion from Assistant County Attorney Randy Tilton.

After County Treasurer Jessie Holm motioned to appoint Jorgenson as District 3 Supervisor, Assink recused herself from voting,  which was 2-0 in favor of Jorgenson with Carr also voting for his appointment.

Jorgenson says serving in County government is something he’s eyed in the past, but until now, the timing wasn’t right.

Jorgenson was then sworn into office to serve on the Board with District 1 Supervisor Mark Kuhn and District 2 Supervisor Dennis Keifer, who took their oaths on Friday. 

Any eligible elector of District 3 could still file a petition requiring that the vacancy be filled by special election. The petition must be filed within 14 days of the appointment.