Hubie Kluesner, representing the Southern District, and Dan Hampson, representing the Northern District, took the oath of office along with other county officers elected in the Nov. 4 general election. Both Kluesner and Hampson are Republicans. They succeed Randy Lewis and Jim Logan, respectively. Logan was elected to a four-year term in November 2004. Lewis was named to his position by Gov. Matt Blunt in January of 2007 to fill the unexpired term of former Southern District Commissioner Arden Engelage, who was elected as the presiding commissioner in 2006. Neither newcomer has any previous political experience. But they each said they are looking forward to the challenges from their new position. "My intention is to represent not just the residents of southern Warren County, but all of the people of this county," Kluesner said. "I will always be as fair at making decisions as I can be." "I'm really excited about getting started," Hampson observed. Both new commissioners have spent time over the past two weeks attending meetings with department heads as the 2009 county budget starts to take shape. State law mandates that the county budget be approved no later than the end of January of the year in which it takes effect. But the commissioners said work was progressing well. A copy of the unofficial budget will be available for the public on Jan. 16. A public hearing is set for Monday, Jan. 26, at a time to be announced. Last year the commissioners approved a budget calling for slightly more than $17.8 million in spending. "I expect this might be the first time in several years where we see the budget actually go down," said Logan. "We're trying to hold the line as much as we can, because these are tough economic times for everyone." Kluesner said helping craft the budget was "a tremendous eye-opening experience for me." Hampson said the experience he has gained from sitting in on budget meetings was more involved than he anticipated. "There are so many things which have to fit together," he said. One of the issues the new commission may tackle is the location of the proposed new county administration building. Building architect Treanor Architects, PA, of St. Louis, proposed a $5,000 site survey of up to three potential sites last fall. But the sitting commission elected not to proceed with that survey. Currently slated to be built on a downtown lot used for courthouse employee parking, there is a possibility the location could change. Two other sites, one in Brune Business Park and the other in the Truesdale Industrial Park, have also been considered by the commission. "I would expect the new commission will address the site survey question," Kluesner noted. "I believe all three of us are on the same page on this issue," added Hampson. "There are several issues to consider, including parking. We want to make sure we look long term and get this right." Departing commissioners Logan and Lewis each said they had enjoyed their tenures. "I have a lot of good memories," said Logan. "Mostly I'm happy the county is in good financial shape as I leave office." Logan, a resident of Wright City, said his future plans were uncertain. He said he may wind up taking a job as a heavy equipment operator with a friend in the contracting business. Lewis, who also resides in Wright City, will return to full-time duties running the office for Lewis-Bade, Inc., a local surveying firm. "I think the thing I'm most proud of is bringing about the new water and sewer treatment plant in Dutzow," Lewis reflected. "That's a far-reaching project because it is expandable and it will have a significant impact on that entire area for years."