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Auditors, sheriffs and county officials oppose bill to require elected county auditors; sponsor seeks clearer ballot language
Summary
House Bill 1384, which would require election of full-time county auditors or clarify ballot language when changing an auditor from elected to appointed, drew opposition from county auditors, sheriffs and commissioners who said appointed auditors under home-rule charters provide professional continuity and local choice.
The Political Subdivisions Committee heard House Bill 1384, a bill aimed at election language for full-time county auditors. Sponsor Representative Heil said his intent was to ensure ballot language clearly notifies voters when a county measure would change an auditor from elected to appointed.
"My goal is just to have it be more transparent on the ballot and what's truly being done," Representative Heil said, citing disputed ballot wording in Burley County measures in 2020 and 2022 as motivating the change.
Several witnesses representing county governments and associations opposed the bill or expressed concerns. Danelle Presque of the North Dakota Association of Counties said the auditor's role requires a high level of expertise and that, statewide, 40 auditor positions are elected and 13 are appointed; many auditor roles are combined with another office, most commonly treasurer. Presque argued local control should determine whether an auditor is elected or appointed.
Sandy Fossum, Richland County auditor, described Richland County's home-rule charter, which makes the auditor an appointed position, and said the voters previously approved that change by ballot. Fossum said requiring election would conflict with voters' prior home-rule decisions. Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser said his county benefited from appointed auditors and public meetings held before a home-rule decision.
Opponents raised operational and continuity concerns: auditors oversee state, federal and county funds, produce reports and support complex financial operations; proponents of appointment said appointment can allow counties to recruit professionals and maintain continuity when turnover might otherwise create gaps in expertise. Supporters of the sponsor's amendment emphasized transparency on the ballot rather than mandating appointments or elections statewide.
Nut graf: The hearing focused on balancing ballot transparency with local control and professional qualifications for county auditors. Witnesses asked whether the bill would override home-rule charters and noted many counties already use appointment as a local decision.
Committee action: The committee concluded the hearing; no final committee vote was recorded during the session.
