McLeod County schedules March 17 hearing after auditor‑treasurer says she will not seek re‑election

County administration informed the McLeod County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 that Auditor‑Treasurer Connie M. Kurtzweig sent a letter notifying the county she will not file for auditor‑treasurer in the 2026 general election. The board scheduled a public hearing at its March 17 meeting to consider whether to continue electing the position or convert it to an appointed role.

Administrative staff said the county’s current departmental structure already splits many duties between the auditor‑treasurer’s office and the finance office, and that several neighboring counties have moved to appointed models when a vacancy arose. "If the county were to go to an appointment process, the appointments occur every 4 years like many of our other roles," staff said, and the board will receive an updated position description and comparative information prior to the hearing.

Commissioners and staff said the March 17 hearing will include more detail on role responsibilities and the statutory process for changing the office from elected to appointed. No decision was made at the Feb. 17 meeting; the hearing is the next formal step and will allow public testimony.

Clarifying details: notice from Connie M. Kurtzweig was dated Feb. 3, 2026; staff cited an updated auditor‑treasurer manual from the Minnesota Department of Revenue (last updated Sept. 2025) and said further documentation will be provided to the board ahead of the public hearing.

What happens next: the board will hold the public hearing on March 17, 2026, and may then follow the statutory process if it elects to pursue an appointment option.