County takes auditor, treasurer positions off the ballot

Over the past 30 years, Steele County Auditor Laura Ihrke’s job has grown to include more work with laws, rules, and finances.
“There’s quite a bit more complexity,” said Irhke, who was elected in 1990 after working for a decade in the Auditor’s office. “We do tax calculations, so it requires some background in finance. Elections are more complex. Absent ballot voting has tripled… A couple of years ago, we had five elections in one year.”
The increased burdens on Ihrke and Treasurer Cathy Piepho led Steele County commissioners to look last fall at turning both into appointed, rather than elected, positions. They finalized the change Tuesday with a unanimous vote.
County Administrator Scott Golberg said the state legislature “kind of greased the skids” with a 2019 law that makes for a smooth transition. Supported by the Minnesota Association of County Officers, the law allows elected officials to make the change:
when there’s a vacancy,
when notified that an auditor or treasurer will not file for re-election, or (as in Steele County’s case)
when there’s a signed contract with the official that retains their tenure, pay, and benefits.
Commissioner Jim Abbe said while Steele County is fortunate to have good people in both positions, he has heard about other counties running into trouble when an elected official stopped showing up for work.
“We’re just trying to save our county and our taxpayers from going through that,” he said.
While no one appeared to testify during a Tuesday public hearing, Abbe acknowledged talking to some constituents who felt that appointing the auditor and treasurer took away their right to choose at the polls.
“But after some discussion, they understood,” he said. “The public doesn’t realize that our electeds don’t have to punch a time clock. These are highly technical jobs.”
In addition to handling property taxes and elections, the county auditor issues auctioneer, liquor, tattoo, transient merchant, and peddler licenses, records minutes at Board of Commissioner meetings, and manages internal accounts.
The treasurer serves as the county’s finance director, managing millions of dollars on a day-to-day basis and investments. The office collects tax payments on 19,000 parcels and 4,800 mobile home properties.
 
Commissioners said Tuesday–and Ihrke agrees–that the county should have professionals in those positions.
“You don’t necessarily go to school to learn some of the things we do,” she said, “but having some educational background, especially in finance, would be helpful.”
Golberg said that across Minnesota, about half of counties have appointed auditors and treasurers. However, he said, more appear to be exploring the option.
Commissioners approved both contracts on Tuesday. The appointments will become effective on April 9. In the event officials change their minds, they can reconsider their options in three years.