Smith appointed county attorney

Joe Smith will serve as Antelope County Attorney until the term, vacated following the death of Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler last month, ends in 2026.

County commissioners appointed the acting deputy attorney Tuesday, during a meeting in Neligh.

Chairman Charlie Henery said Smith had agreed to step in and take the job.

“I’m very pleased,” Henery said.

A contract for the position will be in place, due to the appointment.

Smith told commissioners that state statue lets a board fill a vacancy.

“No special election is required,” he said.

According to Antelope County Clerk Lisa Payne, another individual submitted an application for the position.

“So we closed the window for applications?” Asked commissioner Keith Heithoff.

“We didn’t open it,” Henery said.

The chairman said after discussions with officials of the Nebraka Intergovernmental Risk Management Association, commissioners “are free to appoint anybody.”

“But we need a contract, which is relatively simple. Basically, we need a job description of the county attorney,” Henery said.

That contract is expected to be presented at the Feb. 13 commissioners meeting.

Commissioner Eli Jacob made the motion to appoint Smith. Heithoff seconded the motion.

“I thank you for the vote of confidence,” Smith said.

Commissioners also approved a contract for Patrick Carney, who serves as the county's public defender.