York County Commissioners Joe Burgess and LeRoy Ott take oath of office

YORK – The York County Commissioners’ meeting room was full Thursday morning as two county commissioners took the oath of office. 

​Joe Burgess is the new county commissioner for District 5.
LeRoy Ott will continue serving as the county commissioner for District 2. He was appointed to the position last year to fill a vacancy on the board and then he was elected in the 2024 election cycle.
Both won their partisan races in the Primary Election and then ran unopposed on the ballot in the General Election in November.
Burgess graduated from York High School just two days before the Primary Election in 2024. He is now majoring in chemical engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He said he’s been able to work with his professors regarding his unique schedule as he is serving as a county commissioner.
“I have it worked out and it will be fine,” Burgess said. “Plus, all the other members of the board have jobs, so my situation should be no different.”
Burgess is the youngest person to serve as a York County Commissioner in the county’s history – he is also likely the youngest person to serve as a county commissioner or supervisor in the state. Only two other such instances in which a teenager has been elected as a county commissioner have been found in two other states (through this unofficial review of media reports).
As part of an interview prior to the election, Burgess talked about how he lived in Kirkland, Washington, for 16 years before moving to York in 2022. His father, Troy Burgess, grew up in York. And his grandfather, Roger Burgess, worked at Cornerstone Bank for decades.
When asked what prompted him to file his candidacy for this position, Burgess said, “I have always been interested in history and government. I have read a lot about both. Many of the founding fathers of our nation were involved in government at a very young age. Several experiences helped me to realize that the government was made of real people and it was something I could participate in and have a positive impact on my community. One of these experiences was Boys’ State, where I was a committee chair and part of the legislature. Attempting to pass laws and work together with all these different people was frustrating, but also fascinating. We had the opportunity to hear two Nebraska State Senators talk about their jobs and some recent issues.
“The second thing that prompted me to file was talking to Daniel Grotz. I found out that this guy I already knew was on the county board. I talked to him about what the county government does and what his job was. I went to a county board meeting when school was canceled for snow and got a tour of the whole courthouse with all the commissioners,” Burgess said.
“The third reason I decided to run is because Jack Sikes told me that I should run for his position.”
When he was asked what he’d like to see the county board do differently, he said, “I would have them reconsider some of the proposed restrictions on solar projects in York County.”
Burgess said further, about zoning for solar projects, “I feel that zoning laws are important to have, but so is freedom. These solar projects are proposed for private property, so the government should stay out as much as possible. Solar doesn’t affect adjacent properties according to the research I have done. The measurable concerns are heat and glare, but the heat dissipates completely, well within the smallest proposed setbacks, and the glare is blocked by the tall fence around the solar panels that is required by the proposed regulations. I have talked to quite a number of York County residents about solar, but I haven’t yet had the chance to discuss it with any of the Stop Industrial Solar folks, and I would like to hear their perspective. However, I believe that the half-mile setbacks are too far. I can’t find a good reason for that distance and I believe it is a dangerous encroachment on property rights to be going to the government to tell my neighbor what they can and cannot do with their own property. I err on the side of freedom, and hope that people will be able to reach agreement with their neighbors without the government getting too involved.”
When Burgess was asked about the condition of the county’s roads, he responded: “I dislike washboards. If elected, I intend to work on obtaining federal and state funding to pave more county roads. Concrete lasts a lot longer than gravel, and I believe paving could save the county millions of dollars down the road, as it were. I printed a map of all the road classifications of York County and will research which roads are eligible for grants. It will take time, but I believe that in four years I could at least get a plan put in place for road improvements across the county.”
And further, Burgess said he “has no personal agenda, but I do have a genuine interest in learning about county government and serving my community. I believe my youth, enthusiasm and energy would be a great asset to the county board.”
Ott retired from the insurance business after 25 years with Fillman Insurance. He currently works for the City of York. He said he “simply wants to serve the people of York County four more years and help make York County run efficiently as possible.”
During the campaign process Ott was asked how he felt about county spending. He said, “I do not feel the people would like having their services cut. I do believe the county could be more innovative in creating revenue without creating new or higher taxes. The state eliminating some unfunded mandates would be a great place to start. If the county could create more revenue in rural areas it would help.”
Ott said Thursday he is excited for the next four years and he’s “found I really like problem solving, through this role. We have a lot of issues which come before us and I enjoy us all working together to find solutions.”
He was asked why he wants to serve the county in this capacity, and he responded, “Your question is my answer. Because I want to serve. I have always served my community. I served as a baseball coach for 25-plus years for kids from across the county. I have served on the York Parks and Rec Advisory Board for 15-plus years. I served on Emmanuel Lutheran School Board for 10 years. I have served on various church boards. I have served as a CASA volunteer for seven years. It’s what I do, it’s who I am. Growing up I was told by two very wise men, Jack Vincent and Tommy Toms, if you’re not helping your community, you are hurting it. I want to help.”
Administering the oath of office was York County Clerk Mary Melby.
Many of the county’s elected officials and department heads were present for the oath of office, as were family members of those taking the oath. Also in attendance were the other three members of the county board – Andy Bowman, Daniel Grotz and Randy Obermier.