Kinzer will head board in 2015

Whitman County commissioners on Monday voted in a new chairman and vice chairman of the board.

Replacing Chairman Art Swannack is Commissioner Dean Kinzer who, along with Swannack, is beginning his third year in office. Kinzer, who covers District II, and Swannack, who covers District I, were voted into office in the November 2012 election, replacing former commissioners Greg Partch and Pat O’Neill.

Commissioner Michael Largent, who voters approved for a third term last November covers District III, is the vice chairman of the board.

Commissioners also were assigned committees.

Kinzer is on the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee, Palouse Knowledge Corridor, Rural Transportation Planning Organization, Southeast Washington Economic Development Association and Whitcom Executive Committee/Finance Committee.

Largent is on the Greater Columbia Behavior Health Regional Support Network, Joint Planning Advisory Committee, Law Enforcement Officers/Firefighters Board, Palouse Empire Fair Board, Washington Counties Insurance Fund, Washington Rural Counties Insurance Pool and the Washington State Association of Counties Legislative Steering Committee.

Swannack is on the Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, Eastern Washington Council of Governments, Incident Team, Martin Hall Juvenile Facilities Consortium, Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, Snake River Salmon Recovery Board and the Workforce Development Council.

Kinzer also will attend the Board of Adjustment, Canvass Board, Hearings Examiner Board and Finance Committee.

All commissioners attend the Board of Equalization, Board of Health, Financial Review Meetings, Port of Whitman/Whitman County Commissioners meetings and Penta Counties meetings.

Commissioners attend other meetings listed as assigned but attend by invitation only: Accounting Technicians meeting, Blue Ribbon Advisory Task Committee, Board of Law Library, Capital Improvement Program, Citizens’ Commission for Salary for Elected Officials, Civil Service Commission, Classification Committee, Developmental Service Advisory Board, Elected & Appointed Team Committee, Emergency Communication Advisory Committee, Extension Steering Advisory Committee, Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, Noxious Weed Control Board, OKKO Club, Park Board, Planning Commission, Pro Mall Condo Association, Public Defense Advisory Committee, Road and Bridge Advisory Board, Rural Library Advisory Committee, Safety Committee, Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Water Conservancy Board and Website Development Committee.