Nelson County begins search for new auditor after incumbent announces move; public urges keeping auditor and treasurer offices separate

Nelson County commissioners opened a recruitment process for a new county auditor after current Auditor Jenny Wigen told the board her family will be moving out of Nelson County. The topic was discussed in special meetings on Sept. 14 and Sept. 16, 2022, and the board voted to advertise the vacancy in local papers, Job Service, the North Dakota Association of Counties website, the Nelson County website and Facebook.

At the Sept. 14 special meeting the board discussed the vacancy and tabled hiring until a Sept. 16 meeting. On Sept. 16 the commission approved placing ads in multiple outlets to recruit candidates. During the Sept. 16 meeting members of the public spoke in favor of keeping the Auditor’s office and the Treasurer’s office as separate elected/appointed functions; the transcript records multiple residents urging the board to retain separate offices. Commissioner Maynard Loibl thanked those who spoke. The meeting adjourned after public comment.

The transcript records the decision to advertise and the public comments but does not include job posting language, candidate qualifications, application deadlines, or whether the county will appoint an interim auditor. Those details were not specified on the record and will be determined as the hiring process proceeds.