Notes: If you live in Sherman, Wallace, Rawlins, Decatur, Thomas or Sheridan Counties and are interested in running for a board position, contact the district office and request a nominating petition, or use the web form provided just below. This insures that you will be placed on the pre-printed ballots. There are, however, provisions to be nominated from the floor of the annual meeting. Every eligible voter may vote for every position up for election.

Any additional information needed regarding this meeting should be directed to the district office at 1175 S Range, in Colby, Ks 67701. (785) 462-3915.

Click here for a copy of the district's current nominating petition

Provisional Minutes - (These minutes will become official only when approved by the membership at the 34th annual meeting):

The 33rd annual meeting was opened at 1:00 p.m. MST, February 20, 2008 in the Howard Johnson Hotel, Goodland, Kansas. Board members present were: Scott Maurath, Dave Rietcheck, Lon Frahm, Jeff Deeds, Roger Zweygartdt, Monty Biggs, Mitch Baalman, Bill Nondorf, Shane Mann and Jon Friesen. Board member Doug David was absent. There were 55 persons in attendance. The attendance roster is available from the district office.

President Scott Maurath opened the meeting with a welcome and introductions of the board, staff, former board members in attendance and state agency staff present. Former board members in attendance were: Robin Deeds, Gayle Walz, Ken Palmgren and Doug Irvin.

Scott then turned over the meeting to Jon Friesen for presentation of the 32nd annual meeting minutes, Hoxie, KS, February 21, 2007. Jon directed attention to the annual meeting minutes and gave everyone a chance to review them. There being no questions, it was moved by Joe McIlnay and seconded by Ken Palmgren that the 32nd annual meeting minutes be approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Dave Rietcheck next presented the 2009 proposed operating budget. Dave reported that the 2009 budget was similar to the 2008 revised budget except for the “new field equipment” and the Foundation line items – which were explained. With no questions or comments, the proposed 2009 budget of $854,960.60 was approved on a motion by Robin Deeds and a second from Joe McIlnay for public hearing later in the year.

Mitch Baalman next presented the 2007 calendar year audit. Mitch reported that: $316,413.83 was carried forward from 2006 (mostly Foundation funds which are being accrued); $412,918.15 was brought in by county assessments; $22,602.65 was interest income; and $298.13 was miscellaneous income - totaling $752,232.76 for calendar year 2007. 2007 expenditures were $352,606.93, leaving a bank account balance on December 31, 2007 of $399,625.93. Mitch reported that $338,263.84 of this total carryover figure were earmarked for the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Conservation Foundation. He finally reported that carryover funds plus $79.82 in the post office return postage account and $173.50 remaining on the district's postage meter gave the district a total cash worth on December 31, 2007 of $399,879.15. With no questions or comments, Ken Palmgren moved that the 2007 audit report be approved as presented. The motion was seconded by Alan Query and passed unanimously by voice vote.

Jeff Deeds next conducted the board elections for Positions 1 (Cheyenne County), 4 (Sherman/Wallace County), and 6 (Thomas County). Jeff covered the ground rules first and then opened the floor for nominations for position 1, Cheyenne County, announcing that Roger Zweygardt was the only pre-filed candidate. With no additional nominations offered, Robin Deeds moved that nominations close and a unanimous ballot be cast for Roger Zweygardt. Monty Biggs seconded the motion which passed unanimously by voice vote.

The floor was opened for nominations for position 4, Sherman/Wallace County following the announcement that Dave Rietcheck was the only pre-filed candidate. With no additional nominations offered, Doug Irvin moved that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Dave Rietcheck. The motion was seconded by Robin Deeds and passed unanimously by voice vote.

The floor was opened for nominations for position 6, Thomas County following the announcement that Jon Friesen was the only pre-filed candidate. With no additional nominations offered, Joe McIlnay moved that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Jon Friesen. The motion was seconded from the floor and passed unanimously by voice vote.

Next Scott Maurath turned the floor over to Manager Wayne Bossert who introduced the Keynote speakers – Tom Cech, Manager of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District and Kelly Stewart, assistant Water Commissioner of the Stockton Field Office of the Division of Water Resources. Tom Cech covered the Colorado well shut downs in the Platte River basin of NE Colorado, and Kelly Stewart covered the state’s blatant and recurring overpumping program.

In the open session, Scott Maurath urged everyone to consider a board position and getting involved with the district. With no other discussion topics or questions from the floor in Open Session, Gayle Walz moved for adjournment. Ken Palmgren seconded the motion which passed unanimously by voice vote. The 33rd annual meeting of the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District 4 was adjourned at 2:45 P.M. MST, February 20, 2008.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Nondorf, Secretary

Past Annual Meeting Reports/Packets:

33rd Annual Meeting:  Goodland, KS   February 20, 2008

32nd Annual Meeting:  Hoxie, KS   February 21, 2007

31st Annual Meeting:  Colby, KS   February 19, 2006

As of 2002, the district's annual meeting date is the third Wednesday of February. They continue to be rotated between the towns of Colby, Goodland and Hoxie each year. The district is always open to public input from any district member.