Stacy Honkomp has been appointed to the role of Douglas County assessor. She is the seventh county assessor to be appointed in the last 74 years and the first female to have that title in Douglas County.

Although being the first female Douglas County assessor hadn’t really crossed her mind, she said.

“I saw this as an opportunity that came up,” said Honkomp. “I had started at the front desk learning the assessor language and from there, I have taken advantage of opportunities for advancement as they came up over the past 17 years.”

She also said that the new role will be an adjustment, but she is looking forward to the challenge and to continuing working for Douglas County at the next level.

“Our contact with the public involves many different scenarios and the assessor’s office does its best to help and inform property owners,” she said. “My goal is to continue the work that has been done in the past. There is a lot of depth in our office and I feel that is a benefit to our community.”

Douglas County assessor to retire after serving for 32 years

The commissioners welcomed her on board and said they look forward to working with her.

“Congratulations and thank you for your work,” said Commissioner Keith Englund, who made the motion to appoint Honkomp to the assessor’s position.

The first county assessors in Minnesota were appointed beginning in 1947 and the first in Douglas County was Paul Picard, who served in that role from 1947 to 1952. The role was then filled by Ernest Schroeder (1953-57), LeRoy Kronberg (1958-71), Harris Iverson (1972-79), Harvey Chermak (1980-88) then Keith Albertsen, Honkomp’s predecessor, who was the longest standing assessor. Albertsen, who retired in March, was the Douglas County assessor from 1989 to 2021.

Honkomp was appointed to the assessor’s position during the Tuesday, May 4, Douglas County commissioner’s meeting. Her appointment will be effective on June 1, and is dependent on an approval from the Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue. Her appointment will be for the remainder of Albertsen’s four-year term, which is through Dec. 31, 2024.

Honkomp has worked in the assessor’s office for the past 17 years and was previously the assistant county assessor.

Proclamations

Connie Fields, Early Childhood Initiative coordinator for Douglas County, brought forth two proclamations for the commissioners to approve. The first was for National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, which was proclaimed to be on Thursday, May 6, in Douglas County.

Fields said that one in five children, under the age of 5, have a mental health disorder and that addressing the problems earlier improves their quality of life and their change to succeed.

It was also stated in the proclamation that the need for comprehensive, coordinated mental health services for children, youth, young adults and families is critical. In addition, it stated that Social Services, along with its many partners, such as the Early Childhood Initiative, are effectively working together to help take care of the mental health needs of the children, youth, young adults and families in the Douglas County community.

The second proclamation was for childcare providers. The commissioners approved Friday, May 7, as Child Care Providers Appreciation Day in Douglas County. The proclamation was created to call attention to the importance of high quality child care programs in Douglas County and for community members to recognize the important work of all childcare providers in the community.

Courthouse concerts get the go-ahead

For the last 12 years, the Red Willow Arts Coalition has hosted free concerts on the courthouse lawn and this year will be no different. Chuck Wencl, program director for RWAC, received approval from the commissioners to host the 13th season of concerts on the lawn of the Douglas County Courthouse at Tuesday’s meeting.

Wencl said there will be a total of 16 concerts with 15 of them on Thursday evenings from May 27 through Sept. 2 and one on Sunday, July 4. All concerts will start at 7 p.m. and should end by 8:30 p.m.

Commissioner Englund told Wencl he appreciated him and the coalition for putting on the free concerts.

Here is the lineup of concerts:

• May 27 – Schjei Country

• June 3 – Livewire (60s and 70s)

• June 10 – Nathan’s Old-Time Band

• June 17 – Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboys

• June 24 – Country Roads (Music of John Denver)

• July 1 – Blue English (60s)

• July 4 – Special patriotic concert

• July 8 – Bob and the Beachcombers (surfer rock)

• July 15 – Stone Road (country road)

• July 22 – Rockin’ Hollywoods (50s)

• July 29 – Blonde and the Bohunk Band (country)

• Aug. 5 – 70s Magic Sunshine Band

• Aug. 12 – Chevy Reunion Band (oldies)

• Aug. 19 – Cimarron (country/rock)

• Aug. 26 – Red Letter Band (Christian rock)

• Sept. 2 – Robby Vee (50s and 60s)