(KLZA)--Following an executive session with County Attorney Emily Sisco and Pawnee County Public Defender Steve Mercure  to discuss the Public Defender contract on Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the Public Defender contract between Pawnee County and Mercure on the recommendation of County Attorney Sisco, based on conflicts of interest.

Commissioners Lavonn Heidemann and Jan Lang voted to break the contract.  Commissioner Ron Seitz was not present at the meeting.  

Highway  Superintendent Chris Rauner met with the Board and discussed cleanup from damages caused by storms last week, especially on the north side of the county.