Commissioner Madsen’s absence stops Kandiyohi Co., Minn., talks on appointing over electing officials
WILLMAR — A discussion on whether or not to explore the process of appointing, rather than electing, the Kandiyohi County auditor and recorder was delayed Tuesday by the Kandiyohi County Board.
Chairman Richard Larson said he wanted the discussion delayed to a future meeting when all the commissioners were present.
Commissioner Harlan Madsen was absent from the meeting because he is currently hospitalized at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, recuperating from emergency surgery about a week ago for appendicitis following a family vacation on a cruise ship.
The board also rescheduled a road and bridge meeting that was to be held Thursday because of Madsen’s absence.
County Administrator Larry Kleindl had given the county commissioners details for the process of making the change and was prepared to lead the board in a debate on the issue when Larson quickly halted the discussion, taking Kleindl by surprise.
“We’re going to drop it off at that point,” said Larson, following Kleindl’s presentation.
The current recorder and interim auditor were also present at the meeting but Larson said their input would not be taken on Tuesday.
With the coming retirement in April of Auditor Sam Modderman, Kleindl said it was an appropriate time to discuss the pros and cons of making the auditor and recorder appointed positions.
Some counties are taking similar steps with the offices that require special skills, especially following retirements of longtime elected officials.
Kandiyohi County has already made some of those changes over the years. In the past the county coroner, surveyor, highway engineer and assessor were all elected. They are now appointed positions, in part because their jobs require skills that go beyond being able to run an election campaign.
Kleindl walked the commissioners through the process that is needed to make the change of appointing statutory officers, which starts with passing a resolution requesting approval from the state Legislature.
Kleindl said he’s talked to Willmar lawmakers, Sen. Joe Gimse and Bruce Vogel, who have both agreed to carry such a bill if the county resolution is approved.
Legislative approval of such a bill would give the county permission to publish a resolution stating the intent to consider appointing officers.
If there is no public reaction to those published notices, then the county can proceed with the public hearings and then vote on the issue. Approval requires a yes vote by at least four of the five commissioners.
Citizens do, however, have an option for stopping the process and putting the issue on the ballot.
Kleindl said if citizens submit a petition within 30 days of the second published hearing notice that includes signatures of at least 10 percent of the voters from the last election, then the issue will be put to a vote on the general election.
Because of that provision, Kleindl said it’s a good idea to pursue this issue during an election year.
If the commissioners do not act this year, they would have time to proceed in 2014.
The elected terms of the current recorder and interim auditor run through 2014. They could then be appointed to those jobs, said Kleindl.