November 8, 2019
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. Primmer called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously.
Bierschienk moved/Seeman seconded: With regret to officially acknowledge the resignation of Benton County Treasurer Kelly Rae Geater effective December 2, 2019. Motion carried.
Auditor Rippel presented Iowa Code Chapter 69 and how to proceed in filling the vacancy of an elected official. The office of Treasurer is held by the County Auditor in case of a vacancy. The vacancy will last until the end of the term or the next time the County is called for an election. However, it cannot appear on a Primary Ballot so that means we are looking at the next General Election in November 2020. The Board has two choices, either fill the vacancy by appointment, which would carry through until November of 2020 and then it would have to be elected on at that time, or they can call a special election. If it is filled by appointment, they have 40 days after the vacancy occurs which puts that date to January 9, 2020. If they call for a special election, the Auditor needs a minimum of 46 day notice and it has other provisions as well to look at. Both of these choices would require public notices, therefore we need to make some decisions and plan accordingly to get this vacancy filled. The County Attorney was also present and weighed in on some options and pointed out that the fairer the process looks, the less likely a petition would be filed.
Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To fill the vacancy of the County Treasurer by appointment. Motion carried.
The Board, Rippel and Thompson worked on wording for the publication, where to publish and the timeline they need to follow to meet the requirements of the appointment process. Thompson also stressed the importance of the veterans’ preference statute if this is opened up to the public. Regardless if opened up to the public or only to the county employees there needs to be a deadline to submit their interest for that as well.
Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To open up the vacancy position to the public with a deadline for applications be Friday December 6, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. with the appointment date of Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. Motion carried.
Seeman moved/Biershenk seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.
_____________________________________
Rick Primmer, Chairman
ATTEST: _________________________________
Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor
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