MN SF675

County board may appoint county auditor, county treasurer, county recorder, or combined auditor-treasurer position without voter referendum if a vacancy occurs due to resignation or death, or if a signed contract exists guaranteeing the incumbent's appointment with equal or greater tenure, pay, and benefits.

County board must publish proposed resolution for two consecutive weeks, hold public comment hearing, and obtain approval from 80 percent of board members to make an office appointive; resolution takes effect 30 days after adoption unless a petition signed by 10 percent of registered voters requests a referendum.

Elected officers who are appointed to their office after it is made appointive may not be involuntarily demoted or discharged except for incompetency or misconduct, with right to arbitration hearing and reimbursement of attorney fees if arbitrator rules in their favor.

Appointed office may revert to elected status only after at least three years as appointive position, requiring 60 percent board approval and publication of proposed resolution, or by voter approval of petition signed by 10 percent of registered voters.

Currently elected county officers must serve until completion of their term or until a vacancy occurs, whichever is earlier, even after their office is made appointive.