Seward County Sheriff Mike Vance informed the commissioners in the past few days that he will retire effective Nov. 5.
Vance, whose term expires in early January, did not seek re-election to the post he has held since 2019. Two candidates, Tim Huntington and write-in Troy Schaefer, are seeking election as the county’s next sheriff in the Nov. 3 election.
Though the topic was not on the public agenda for the Seward County Commissioners on Oct. 27, Commissioner Raegan Hain asked that it be placed on the agenda as an emergency item, citing the short timeline between today’s meeting and the retirement date.
The commissioners scheduled a special meeting for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 4 to consider acceptance of the retirement letter and possible appointment of an interim sheriff before a newly elected sheriff takes office Jan. 6. Four of the five commissioners are available to meet at that time. Chair Misty Ahmic will not be able to attend.
The meeting was scheduled outside the commissioners’ normal meeting on Nov. 3 to minimize commission business on Election Day, when County Clerk Brandy Johnson is busy with voting. Traditionally the commissioners limit their Election Day agenda to claims.
The extra day will also allow them to see the preliminary results of the sheriff’s election when an interim appointment is considered. Johnson said the votes will not be canvassed and final until seven days after the election.
The commissioners indicated in their discussion of the letter and timeline that Vance had indicated he would appoint an interim from among his senior officers. However, Deputy County Attorney Barb Armstead said state law requires commissioners to appoint the interim unless the sheriff has a designated chief deputy sheriff, which Vance does not.
Commissioner Darrell Zabrocki was to reach out to Vance as well as the two candidates to clarify information and ask the candidates if they would, if it is deemed appropriate based on election results, be available to take office for that interim period.
Vance could not be reached for comment at deadline.
