Commissioners plan for interim auditor appointment after upcoming retirement

Commissioner Kimball told colleagues on Dec. 23 that the county will face a temporary vacancy in the auditors office after the incumbent retires and raised state statutory guidance for filling midterm vacancies.

"RCW 30 six-sixteen-one hundred and 15" was cited by Commissioner Kimball as the statute that "lets the county know what to do when an elected [official] retires in the middle of a term." He said the county party was collecting names and expected interviews in early January and that the board would need a plan to appoint an acting official so payroll and accounts payable could be signed during the vacancy.

Why it matters: The auditors duties include payroll and accounts payable approvals and other continuity tasks; commissioners said an acting official will be necessary until a permanent auditor is selected. Commissioner Kimball said the party would likely submit names and the board has statutory deadlines to appoint an interim or acting official.

Details and procedure

- Statute cited in meeting: "RCW 30 six-sixteen-one hundred and 15" (as spoken by Commissioner Kimball). - Commissioner's notes: the party conducting interviews may not finish until Jan. 10 (as discussed), interviews were expected around Jan. 12, and the board discussed appointing an acting official to start Jan. 1 and formally appointing by a date in late January. - The board discussed statutory timelines: parties submit names within roughly 30 days, and the board must appoint within 60 days of the vacancy (as described by commissioners during the meeting).

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to prepare a plan so the board can identify and appoint an acting auditor for the brief vacancy period and to ensure payroll and accounts payable processes remain covered until a permanent auditor is chosen.

Sources: Remarks by Commissioner Kimball during the Dec. 23 meeting.