The Houston County offices of auditor and treasurer could be appointive in the near future.
Sponsored by Rep. Ken Tschumper (DFL-La Crescent), HF3577 was passed by the House 92-37 on April 16. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL-Winona) is the sponsor.
The bill would allow Houston County to make the offices of auditor and treasurer appointed, pending an 80 percent vote of the county board and the decision would be subject to reverse referendum. The current officeholder would be permitted to serve the remainder of the current term.
“We need to stop this trend of subverting the local voters by appointing the county officers,” said Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake).
Under general law, a county may make the offices of auditor and treasurer appointive if approved by a referendum.