Appointment plan advances

County commissioners are officially moving forward with a plan to make the Eddy County Auditor and Treasurer positions appointed, rather than elected.

The possibility was first brought forth after the county’s previous auditor, Patty Williams, unexpectedly resigned late last year, and commissioners have now taken the first step toward making the change.

At their meeting on Tuesday, March 5, commissioners unanimously adopted a preliminary resolution explaining their intent to make the auditor and treasurer positions appointed.

North Dakota Century Code requires the county to publish their plan for implementation of the change in the county’s official newspaper for two weeks. The plan, which is published on page 8 of this edition, explains the change from elected to appointed, the process moving forward and the county’s reasoning for the change.

“Currently, the Auditor’s and Treasurer’s positions are elected,” states the plan. “There are no minimum qualifications for any person to run for these positions, other than being a resident of Eddy County at least eighteen (18) years of age. Making these positions appointed will ensure the County has the most qualified people in these roles.”

The plan adds that making these positions appointed would open up the possibility of hiring from outside the county, noting that with Eddy County’s population of only 2,000, limiting candidates to just county residents may not ensure the county’s finances are in the best hands.

The plan also lays out the county’s intention to increase the minimum requirements for a county auditor or treasurer, which would be much greater than just residency and age.

“Both of the positions have significant responsibilities that cover the financial affairs

of the County,” states the plan. “Keeping them elected means any adult resident could run for the position without having the most minute amount of financial education.

“In order to ensure the best, most qualified and educated persons are in charge of the County’s finances, the Commission desires to require an applicant for these positions to have prior accounting experience and training in the accounting field, namely a four (4) year accounting degree or CPA licensure. This minimum requirement will ensure the County is run efficiently and effectively while promoting accountability to the citizens.”

Moving forward, the process outlined in N.D. Century Code for making an elected position appointed begins with a pair of public meetings to be held in a few weeks.

The first will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26 in the basement of the Eddy County Courthouse. The second will be held during the commission's regular meeting on Tuesday, April 2 at 9 a.m., also in the Eddy County Courthouse.

Century Code further requires that the preliminary resolution cannot be finalized until two years after the preliminary resolution was adopted, and even then, residents could initiate a petition process to have the question placed on the ballot of an upcoming election.

If ultimately finalized, the county’s plan to change the auditor and treasurer positions from elected to appointed would take effect no later than April 1 and May 1 of 2027, which is when the current four-year terms of the county auditor and treasurer, respectively, would expire.

Also at the commission’s regular meeting on Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved two joint powers agreements – one with the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center in Devils Lake and another with the City of New Rockford for the upcoming elections.

The Eddy County Commission's next regular meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 2 at the Eddy County Courthouse, but will have a new start time of 8 a.m.