A committee made up of the Johnson County officials decided on Monday to appoint a new county supervisor, according to county documents.

The decision comes after the death of Supervisor Larry Meyers on Sept. 23.

The committee will chose the replacement Oct. 28, and it will review applications for the position up until Oct. 16.

The replacement will serve the rest of Meyers’ term, which ends in 2010.

If citizens disagree with the appointment and wish to hold a special election, they will need to get a petition with 7,299 signatures.

“You really want people to have an election and to have a choice, but at the same time, we are looking at filling out less than a year and a half of a term,” said Johnson County Supervisor Terrence Neuzil.

In the past, he said, the committee has appointed three individuals, all of whom did a good job.

“I have confidence in the choice that the folks in the committee will make,” Neuzil said.

— by Scott Raynor