There is now an available position on the Union County Board of Supervisors.
The position, formerly filled by Lois Monday, who died April 25, is open to anyone who is a resident of Union County.
“We hope to have somebody who, I guess, who wants to be a part of a team, who wants to make a difference for the county,” said Union County Auditor Sandy Hysell. “We want someone who wants to work hard for the county taxpayers.”
It was decided to not hold a special election for the position, but rather appoint someone, in order to avoid the cost of approximately $8,000. The cost would go toward holding the election in all polling places, plus there would be time and effort involved in providing volunteers to host the polling locations and bring ballots to the auditor’s office after polls close.
For those interested in the position, pick up an application at the Union County Auditor's Office in the courthouse or fill one out online at www.unioncountyiowa.org. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on "Current Employment Opportunities." Those interested need to fill out the application and addendum.
The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. May 12.
Applicants will then be interviewed by a committee of three Union County officials: Hysell, Treasurer Kelly Busch and Recorder Paula White. After the interview process, the officials will then appoint which applicant best fits the position of supervisor.
Once an appointment has been made, in order to meet Iowa code, the appointee must run in the next general election, which is scheduled November 2018.
“When you make an appointment, they have to run in the next election to finish out the term,” Hysell said. “It’s actually a four-year term, but, per code, if you’re appointed, you have to go on the ballot for the next general.”
This is because Monday was voted in during the last election in November 2016 for a four-year term. The appointee must complete the remainder of Monday’s term.
Then, the appointee will run in the next election coinciding with the term.
For those interested in having a special election to fill Monday’s position instead, a petition can be filed to the auditor’s office during two time frames.
The first is 14 days after the acknowledgement of the vacancy, so the petition must be presented May 15, as the acknowledgment occurred May 1. The second is 14 days after the appointment, which the committee is hoping to have done by May 30, during the regular meeting after Memorial Day.
If a petition is filed, the county is required to hold a special election. The petition will need signatures from at least 10 percent of the votes cast in the last general election, adding up to 584 signatures.