County commissioners table discussion on appointed positions
The Winona County Board voted to table discussion of making three county positions appointed, rather than elected. Commissioners were to consider a resolution at their meeting Tuesday morning that would make the county positions of treasurer, auditor and recorder appointed rather than elected positions. Commissioner Jim Pomeroy he preferred to send the item back to staff for more research and said the intent is not to replace the persons in those positions, but to put the best person possible in each position. Pomeroy said Auditor Cherie Maclennan, Treasurer Sue Rivers and Recorder Bob Bambenek are doing outstanding work and that the intent of the discussion is to have procedures in place to fill the positions following retirements or if someone where to take another position elsewhere. Commissioner Dave Stoltman reiterated that the board's goal is not to eliminate those currently serving, but to insure that in the future the positions will continue to be filled by high–caliber individuals. The board voted unanimously to bring the topic back to the agenda in time for its December 16 meeting.
