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The changing of the guard

New county officials sworn in during special Supervisors meeting

New Republican Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt, left, is sworn into his office by County Attorney Brent Heeren, right, at the courthouse on Monday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
New Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt and his K9 Tyson pose for a photo during his swearing in ceremony at the courthouse on Monday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
Incoming Republican Tama County Auditor Karen Rohrs embraces her predecessor, Democrat Laura Kopsa, after being sworn in at the courthouse on Monday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
District 2 Supervisor David Turner, left, is sworn into office by County Attorney Brent Heeren at the courthouse on Monday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
District 4 Republican County Supervisor Mark Doland, left, is sworn in by County Attorney Brent Heeren on Monday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
Republican District 3 Supervisor Heather Knebel, left, is sworn into office by County Attorney Brent Heeren, right, on Monday morning. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
Current Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hilmer, left, is sworn in for another term by County Attorney Brent Heeren. Hilmer, a Republican from Dysart, represents District 1. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

TOLEDO – Fog lay thick over the landscape like a fallen cloud, and more than the usual few gathered for this week’s Supervisors’ meeting. Converging on the Tama County Courthouse early Monday were citizens from all around the county to witness a historical event.

Although it came at the end of the meeting, after a few things were taken care of, the new set of Supervisors (Mark Doland, Heather Knebel, David Turner and Curt Kupka, who will join current Chairman Curt Hilmer), the new auditor Karen Rohrs, and new Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt, were sworn into office. Cameras flashed, hands clapped, and the room ushered in a new era for the county.

The meeting started in the courtroom with Hilmer sitting at the judge’s bench, with Faircloth and Anderson sharing the witness box. First up on the agenda was a resolution for ARPA funds. $47,897.69 of the American Rescue Plan Act funds were approved for the Tama County Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of RC System cameras.

The Supervisors also approved a four percent pay raise for non-union, non-elected employees for the 2026 fiscal year. The four percent will be split in two, so the employees will receive two percent in January and two percent in July.

Claims totaling $229,272.51 were approved.