The county board may try to change the auditor-treasurer and recorder’s positions to appointed roles, but local legislators aren’t lining up behind the effort.

County Coordinator Craig Oscarson estimated the county could save upwards of $70,000 a year if the positions were selected via appointment instead of elected. However, the county board will probably have to take the reigns in making the change happen.

Local legislators weren’t keen on the idea when they met with county officials Friday. Last year, Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, carried legislation in the Minnesota House of Representatives to allow the county to appoint the recorder. She said she would not do it again, as the bill faced heavy opposition.

“It’s difficult to get it through the Legislature,” Poppe said. “It becomes a very political – not partisan – debate.”

Poppe noted that the majority of people expressed opposition to the bill, largely because they were unhappy that the move would eliminate a public vote.

However, Poppe noted the board can take steps to enact the change without going through the state Legislature. The board could seek to make the positions appointed through a public referendum.

Oscarson said the county could save money by potentially combining the auditor-treasurer’s office and the recorder’s office. Savings would come through a staff reduction of one position, and the change would eliminate one department head. Oscarson said the board is looking for the move to come through attrition. Assessor Rich Peterson is projected to retire within the next five years, and one employee could be shifted to fill that role.

A special election for a referendum would come at a significant cost to the county. If the public were to vote to approve a change, it wouldn’t take effect until the end of Recorder Jill Cordes and Auditor-Treasurer Doug Groh’s terms — both are in their first year of four year terms.

Groh attended the meeting and elected not to speak in support or opposition to appointing the positions.