The Fond du Lac County Board has appointed an interim county executive until a new person is elected following a special election June 7. At their meeting Tuesday night the board voted to appoint Director of Administration Erin Gerred to the post. The vote was 20 supervisors in favor and two absensions. Gerred replaces county board chairman, Marty Farrell who has been serving as acting county executive following the death of Allen Buechel. Buechel died last month from a heart attack at the age of 74. Farrell recommended Gerred for the post. In making the recommendation, Farrell says Gerred is extremely qualified. Farrell says he also wanted to appoint someone who was not going to run for the position in the special election. “I thought it would be better to have a neutral person in place,” Farrell told WFDL news. Farrell says this is an unprecedented situation. He says statewide there has only been one other vacancy in a county executive position. “The only other vacancy we’re aware of was when Scott Walker was Milwaukee County executive back in 2010 and then he was elected governor.” Farrell says another complication is that a new county board has been elected, and will be sworn into office next week. Farrell did not seek reelection and has been serving as acting county executive. County Board supervisor Sam Kaufman is the only candidate running for the position in the special election.
