The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously appointed 4th District Commissioner Chris Shoff as board chairman for the second consecutive year.

Shoff, who served as chairman in 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2018, noted his interest in being chairman and mentioned Mayo Clinic Health System’s in-progress transition of most inpatient services from Albert Lea to Austin.

“Part of my interest in it was because of the hospital situation,” he said. “That, and then the Governor’s Opener coming this year and then some of the road projects — Bridge Avenue, Main Street — that are coming up in the next few years, that the planning is happening, along with the (Union Pacific) bike trail master plan that we are currently working on.”

Shoff said he wants commissioners to be more involved with state and federal events.

As chairman, Shoff is involved in setting the direction of the board and meets with Freeborn County Administrator Thomas Jensen Fridays before board meetings to go over meeting agendas.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jensen said Shoff “has several ideas that will benefit the county and the residents.”

To Jensen, Shoff works well with managers, department heads and fellow commissioners.

Commissioners unanimously approved appointing 1st District Commissioner Glen Mathiason as vice chairman for 2019.

Jensen called Mathiason “honest” and “very up front,” descriptors he said Freeborn County values.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted an application by Kruckeberg Industries LLC, which requested a Freeborn County waste hauler license to perform business in Freeborn County.

• Placed information system engineer Eric Mickelson on regular, full-time status.

• Accepted the resignation of Freeborn County jail deputy Anthony Cornell, effective Dec. 30 and approved filling the position. 

• Placed Assistant Freeborn County Attorney Michelle Johnson on regular, full-time status.

• Accepted filling a highway maintenance laborer vacancy due to a promotion.

• Set 2019 board meeting dates and times for 8:30 a.m. the first and third Tuesdays of every month.

• Appointed the Albert Lea Tribune as the official Freeborn County newspaper for 2019, including publications of the delinquent tax list and informing potential bidders that transportation projects might be noticed on the Freeborn County website.