Freeborn Co. board approves resolution opting out of bill

A bill giving the Mower County board the option to appoint two currently elected positions passed the Minnesota House of Representatives 91-41.

House File 1544, which would give the county board the ability to appoint the auditor-treasurer and recorder, has been described as a cost saving measure for counties.

While Rep. Rich Murray originally added Mower and Freeborn counties to a Marshall County Bill, Freeborn County essentially ended its involvement yesterday.

According to Chairman Dan Belshan, the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to not participate in the bill.

“I am pleased that our board made a strong statement for the taxpayers’ right to vote for recorder and auditor-treasurer,” Belshan said in an email. “County Commissioners control the budgets of those offices, so if cost-saving measures are found the board could take those measures now, without appointments.”

Last week, Belshan said he opposed the move because it takes away the public’s right to vote.

“I’m not in favor of taking elected offices and making them appointed,” he said.

Mower County officials have argued appointing the auditor-treasurer and recorder, would allow the county to combine and reshape the offices to save money.