York County Press Release
YORK – More than enough signatures to seek an election regarding the recall of York County Commissioner LeRoy Ott have been turned into the York County Clerk/Election office, and those offices are currently in the process of checking the validity of the signatures. If enough are found to be valid, meaning they are those of registered voters in District 2, they will certify the petition, and a recall election will be held.
As explained by York County Clerk Mary Melby, if enough signatures are verified and the petition results are certified (which will be determined in the next few days), she will then come to the York County Board of Commissioners to request a special election.
“If all that happens, an all-mail election will be held with election day designated as Nov. 11, meaning all the ballots have to be turned in by the end of that work day and they will then be counted,” Melby said.
The Nebraska Secretary of State’s office has to give permission for the all-mail election, which Melby assumes would be granted upon her request.
She then told Commissioner Ott, as the county board was in regular session during this conversation, “If you are recalled, you will have to step down immediately. Then the committee (consisting of the county attorney, clerk and treasurer) will have 45 days to appoint a commissioner.”
If all of these things take place, it would likely be January or February until there is a new board member.
If the election takes place and the majority says Ott should remain in office, the entire matter ends on Nov. 11.
So therein started a conversation between the commissioners as to whether they should continue talking about solar zoning regulations while all of this is happening.
“I had a conversation with LeRoy this past weekend about all this,” said York County Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier. “We talked about whether we should continue talking about solar zoning regulations during this process, and he had no problem going ahead with zoning. But I think the board members, together, should decide if we continue while the recall process is taking place.”
“I told Randy I was elected to conduct the business of the county, so that’s what we are going to do, that’s it, we will keep going,” Ott said.
“I appreciate that, but the assumption is this will go to a special electio,n and it will hang over this board until we are solid again,” Obermier responded. “And our decisions will be scrutinized if things change. I think we hold up on the zoning conversations until we are whole so those conversations and action can’t be scrutinized.”
“I agree with Randy,” said Commissioner Andy Bowman. “It could be scrutinized if the recall process is underway.”
“But then we are looking at maybe another three or four months (regarding the finalization of solar zoning regulations); however, I also agree that’s a good point (regarding the scrutiny),” said Commissioner Joe Burgess.
“I agree to your point of scrutiny of our conversations and decisions. This recall situation, well, it wasn’t something we asked for but were presented with,” said Commissioner Daniel Grotz. “I’m fine with waiting to see the outcome (of the recall).”
“Whatever you guys decide, I’m fine with that,” Ott said.
Bowman made a motion to postpone all discussion on solar zoning regulations “until the recall situation is put to rest or a new commissioner is put into place.”
Grotz seconded the motion.
Burgess voted no.
Ott abstained.
The rest voted in favor, so all solar zoning regulation discussion or decision-making is halted until the recall matter is resolved one way or another.
