Tom Kautza reelected as county board chairman

By: 
Luke Reimer
Reporter

Tom Kautza was reelected chairman from a field of five candidates during the Shawano County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 19.

The board elected Kautza through a process where supervisors were nominated and then subsequently voted on by secret ballot. If a majority was not reached, the person with the least amount of votes was eliminated.

During the election, nominees for chairman were Steve Gueths, Sandy Steinke, David Gilane, Kautza and Rick Giese. After the supervisors voted, Kautza and Steinke remained. In the final ballot Kautza defeated Steinke 23-3.

“I am very appreciative of the reelection,” said Kautza. “This is very humbling, winning in a 23-3 vote. I am going to continue serving the taxpayers in Shawano County to the best of my ability.”

Kautza said he has a couple of goals that he wants to accomplish for his upcoming term.

“I would like to work with the board to get future plans set in place,” said Kautza. “I do not want us to continue to make knee-jerk reactions when something comes up.”

Supervisor Kevin Conradt was subsequently elected as the vice chairman. Conradt defeated Supervisor Theresa Serrano 16-10.

The new board has seven new members. Mart Grams, Mike Stupecky, James Przybylski, Jeremy Gretzinger, Grant Staszak, David Heideman and David Gilane attended their first meeting as board members on April 19.