CAMBRIDGE -- The new Henry County Board on Monday voted 19-1 to retain Tim Wells, R-Geneseo, as board chairman.

No other board members were nominated for the position, with Jim Kursock, D-Kewanee, casting the lone dissenting vote.

John Sovanski, D-Kewanee, was elected vice-chairman in similar fashion. No other candidates were nominated, and Mr. Kursock cast the only opposition vote.

Mr. Wells noted Henry County's Nov. 6 elections illustrated the difference one vote can make. Kippy Nelson, R-Cambridge, was returned to the board after the official tally showed she had received one vote more than Tom Wiley, D-Cambridge. Mr. Wiley has decided not to seek a recount.

"We have many opportunities to work together as a team," Mr. Wells told board members. "I'm ready to work with leadership and vision. I look forward to being chairman and serving all of you."

Committee assignments also were made on Monday night:

-- Administration: Roger Gradert, R-Cambridge, chair; Mr. Sovanski, Marvin Gradert, R-Geneseo, Ted Sturtevant, D-Kewanee, and Kathy Nelson, R-Geneseo

-- Finance: Dennis Anderson, R-Galva, chair; Mr. Gradert, Jerry Thompson, D-Kewanee, and Loren Rathjen, R-Colona

-- Health and Social Services: Karen Urick, R-Prophetstown, chair; Jan May, D-Kewanee, and Bill Preston, R-Geneseo

-- Planning and Development: Ann DeSmith, D-Atkinson, chair; Mr. Thompson, Mr. Kursock and Rick Livesay, R-Geneseo

-- Public Safety: Ms. Nelson, chair; Mr. Kursock, Ms. Urick and Ms. DeSmith

-- Transportation: Mr. Livesay, chair; Mr. Sturtevant, Mr. Preston and Jim Findley, D-Kewanee

-- Communications: JoAnne Hillman, D-Colona, chair; Mr. Findley, Tom May, D-Kewanee, and Jacob Waller, R-Geneseo

-- Executive:Mr. Sovanski, chair; Mr. Anderson, Ms. Hillman, Ms. Urick, Ms. DeSmith, Mr. Livesay, Mr. Gradert and Ms. Nelson.

As part of the board's reorganization, members also drew lots for two- or four-year terms.

In District 1, two-year terms were drawn by Mr. Wells, Mr. Gradert, Mr. Livesay, Mr. Rathjen and Mr. Preston. Drawing four-year terms were Ms. Urick, Ms. Nelson, Mr. Waller, Ms. DeSmith and Ms. Hillman.

In District 2, two-year terms were drawn by Ms. May, Mr. Sovanski, Mr. Gradert, Mr. May and Mr. Anderson. Drawing four-year terms were Mr. Kursock, Mr. Sturtevant, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Findley and Ms. Nelson.