Former Columbia Alderman Doug Garmer took his seat as county commissioner a few months earlier than expected during Thursday morning’s meeting of the Monroe County Board.

Garmer replaced Dennis Knobloch, who announced in August he would not seek re-election in this November’s general election. Garmer is running unopposed for the seat. Both are Republicans.

Knobloch, who has been absent or attended meetings remotely for most of 2024, tendered a letter of resignation last Wednesday, citing “uncertainty of the side effects related to (his) medical situation.” 

Knobloch also wrote he was “honored” to have been asked to fill the vacancy created by the passing of former commissioner Ronald Schultheis, who had been a “lifelong friend,” the letter stated.

“I regret any problems this may cause for you in the coming months,” Knobloch’s letter concluded.

Monroe County Board Chairman George Green said of Knobloch, “This is a man that has, throughout his life, placed the needs of Monroe County above his own. He is a true son of the county, a fighter for the county’s lifestyle and the heritage we all have.”

Monroe County Republican Central Committee Chairman Ed McLean addressed the board Thursday to officially recommend Garmer as the replacement, but he also shared thoughts on Knobloch.

“I just want to say Dennis has been a statesman for our county, and we owe a lot to Dennis,” McLean began. “We cannot forget all the accomplishments in his service to Monroe County for over 26 years.”

In addition to serving as a commissioner for the past five years, Knobloch had been Monroe County Clerk for 21 years. Prior to that, he was Valmeyer village president for eight years – during which he led the village’s relocation efforts after the Flood of 1993.

In a press release dated May 9, McLean noted Knobloch’s “vast relationships and wisdom helped our county traverse (the COVID-19 pandemic) and come out stronger than ever.”

McLean concluded by saying, “We appreciate his continued valuable input and his passion for Monroe County.”

Garmer then accepted the Republican party nomination and took the oath of office administered by Monroe County Resident Circuit Judge Chris Hitzemann.

Once Garmer was seated, Green nominated Commissioner Vicki Koerber as vice chairman of the board, which Knobloch had been prior to his resignation.

Garmer’s appointment to the Monroe County Board created a vacancy on the Columbia City Council. 

Garmer had been an alderman for Columbia’s first ward since 2021. 

Columbia City Administrator Doug Brimm reported Garmer had tendered his resignation as city alderman effective immediately prior to accepting the commissionership Thursday morning.

State law gives Columbia Mayor Bob Hill a total of 60 days to appoint a replacement for Garmer, subject to the advice and consent of the full Columbia City Council.

Prior to being elected as alderman, Garmer had been a Columbia Plan Commission chairman since 2020, a group he was appointed to in 2017. Garmer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Webster University and retired in 2019 from AT&T where he worked as a senior manager.

Garmer has held several positions with Human Support Services in Waterloo, including finance committee chairman. He is also a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Columbia.

In other county business from Thursday’s meeting, Monroe County Supervisor of Assessments Carl Wuertz updated commissioners on the property tax assessment process. 

In mid-April, Wuertz told the Republic-Times assessments could be out sometime in May, but he reported May 9 they will be published “no sooner” than three weeks from that date, meaning a June release is likely.

“Reassessment is completed, all entered. We are currently entering new property, all of the new builds, and after that we’ll get into our sales studies. Farmland assessment, our new program is up and running, and we did testing on it, so we should be publishing (in) three weeks,” Wuertz said.

Green asked if assessments could possibly be released sooner, to which Wuertz responded in the negative. 

 The board also approved a land purchase agreement between the county and Monroe County Electric Cooperative.

The property is an 8.63 acre tract behind the co-op headquarters and near the intersection of Old Red Bud and Quarry roads south of Waterloo. 

The land will technically be purchased from the co-op by the Monroe County Health Department for “a mass vaccination site and other health department needs,” according to department director John Wagner, although he explained it will be a “dual use” property shared with the Monroe County Highway Department. 

Wagner said the highway department will use sheds on the property and it will be “set up with the idea that equipment could be moved out of these sheds in the event of an emergency.”

During COVID-19 vaccination clinics, the health department held several mass vaccinations at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, but Wagner said the new property will ensure his department has a location should there be a need to host a large-scale medical event.

He also said the site was “ideal for using old Red Bud Road” and preventing traffic backups like the ones experienced on Route 156 during vaccination clinics.

Wagner said the recycling center could possibly move to the new property if funding becomes available to finance a relocation.

Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing and Maintenance Director Joe Lewis were also on hand to give an update on construction progress of the Monroe County Jail expansion.

Lewis reported the project is four weeks ahead of schedule and crews are currently installing drywall and insulation.

He gave a completion date of mid-August, barring any major setbacks.

Koerber said she has heard concerns about the level of Third Street in front of the jail appearing to be significantly higher than the building itself.

Rohlfing noted the building has always been lower than the street, but it was not as noticeable due to configuration of the previous parking area and distance from the curb. 

Lewis added there is a six-foot difference between the street and where the building meets the ground. 

He said once construction is complete it will not seem as drastic, explaining he has heard comments about the large concrete structure, but that it is a screening wall to house the building’s generator and the exterior of the wall will match the rest of the building by the time construction is complete.

Lewis also said there are no drainage concerns despite the height difference, as there are 16-inch drains in the area from the sidewalk down to the building which will eventually  serve as a grassy lawn area. The drains direct water behind the building to a storm sewer. 

He noted the property did not experience any flooding after heavy rains last Wednesday.

The heavy rains did create a mess in Maeystown and points south last week, as Monroe County Public Safety Director Kevin Scheibe reported 2.2 inches of rain fell in 30 minutes during the first round of storms in the early afternoon.

Scheibe once again praised the response efforts of county personnel in handling the situation on May 8, which included closing flooded roads and monitoring rapidly changing conditions. 

He noted the Maeystown Fire Department was flooded by about 24 inches of water during the first round of storms.

During the second round of storms later in the evening, Scheibe said there was flooding from Hanover Road to the north on Bluff, Gall and Steppig roads and reports of downed trees. 

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Scheibe also commented on the “amazing” response of emergency personnel to an incident at Gardner Elementary School in Waterloo on May 3, during which the school was evacuated after several students experienced sudden illness during a play practice.

The next meeting of the Monroe County Board is 8:15 a.m. May 20 at the Monroe County Courthouse.