Toavs Selected As County Commission’s Presiding Officer

Robert Toavs was elected the Roosevelt County commissioners’ presiding officer during a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

County Attorney Thomas Bleicher presided over the special public meeting. Commissioner Gordon Oelkers made the motion for Toavs to become the presiding officer. Doug Marottek seconded the motion.

No other nominations were received. Toavs was elected on an unanimous ballot.

Oelkers has served as the presiding officer for the past four years.

During last year’s meeting, Oelkers noted that he will not serve as presiding officer in 2026 because he will have the responsibilities of being the president of the Montana Association of Counties.

Commissioners are hopeful that the position will now be rotated with each commissioner serving in the role for a year at the time.

Toavs is beginning his third year as a county commissioner.