HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Hill County Commissioner’s held their final business meeting of 2020 on Thursday afternoon at the County Courthouse.
Just before the meeting started, Democrat Jake Strissel was sworn in as the new Commissioner representing District 1. Strissel defeated Republican Mark Wicks by just over 200 votes in the November election. He is replacing fellow Democrat Mike Wendland, who decided to retire after 14 years of service.
Although Strissel was sworn in prior to the meeting, he did not officially become Commissioner until the calendar turned to 2021 on Friday morning.
“I’m really excited, I’m really humbled by this opportunity,” Strissel told New Media Broadcasters after the meeting. “It’s a big thing, just being in there for this last meeting, I kind of got a taste of what it is like to be a Commissioner. Being Mike Wendland’s replacement, that’s big shoes to fill. He’s done a phenomenal job for the last 14 years, and if I could do half as good as he has, I think I’ll be alright.”
Other agenda items at the meeting:
- A boundary relocation survey for Phil Moen was approved by a 3-0 vote
- Hill County Road Department Operator Seth Hamilton resigned from his position, effective January 7th
- Clerk & Recorder Sue Armstrong announced her Office has been preliminarily awarded a $260,791 grant from the Center for Tech and Civil Life for planning and operating safe and secure elections. There is still some paperwork needing to be filed before the grant award becomes official
