A Transition Plan Moves On for Approval

The Richland County Executive & Finance Committee approved a transition plan to fill the county administrators position temporarily once Candace Pesch leaves on January 8th. The committee approved appointing County Clerk, Derek Kalish, as interim county administrator; and Richland County Highway Commissioner, Josh Elder, as assistant county administrator for the interim. The plan will be forwarded to the full board to be acted on at a special meeting on January 7th. The committee also approved contracting with a company to search for a permanent county administrator. The job will be posted and open to anyone who wishes to apply.

Also approved was a resolution petitioning the Secretary of Transportation for airport improvement aid. The improvement aid would be used to remodel and upgrade the airport terminal building. The approximate cost of the project is $500,000 with $450,000 funded by federal, $25,000 funded by state and $25,000 funded by Richland and Sauk Counties each paying $12,500. The 2025 portion of the project will consist of design elements and cost approximately $150,000 with 95% or $142,500 funded by state and federal government and the $7,500 funded by Richland County paying $3,000 and Sauk County paying $4,500.