OREGON – After a closed session at a special board meeting Tuesday night, the Ogle County Board appointed Harry Adams Jr. as the county’s new planning and zoning administrator.
“I think he’s going to bring a unique perspective for us,” Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker said of Adams, who is replacing outgoing administrator Michael Reibel.
The Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for regulating construction activities in the unincorporated area of the county.

Gouker said Reibel is leaving the position to become the pastor of a Lutheran church in Lanark.
During the closed session, the county also considered candidates for supervisor of assessments, which is being filled in the interim by Carol Magnuson. Gouker said although the county received, “a lot of candidates” for the position, the board still did not select one.
He said by state the law, once appointed the person get a four-year term, so the county wants to make sure it has the right person in the job.
Gouker said there were three applicants for the planning and zoning position, but that all three were strong candidates. He said Adams, whose grandfather once served on the County Board, has been involved in construction and has interacted with area zoning offices.
Adams, who is self-employed, will start with the county by Aug. 19 at the latest. Reibel will be in the position until the end of the month.
Adams will be paid $62,500. With five members absent from the meeting, he was approved by a vote of 16-3.