Board appoints Jennifer Jones to fill county recorder vacancy

The Jackson County Board of Supervisors appointed Jennifer Jones to serve as county recorder to fill the remainder of the current term after Auditor Lisa Smith said Recorder Arlene Schauff had resigned effective Dec. 31, 2025.

"As we all know, Arlene Schauff, the current Jackson County recorder, has tendered her resignation effective 12/31/2025," Auditor Lisa Smith told the board, and said she had published the required notice under Iowa Code Chapter 69. Jennifer Jones, who identified herself to the board as the first deputy recorder with 25 years of service, appeared in the chamber and confirmed her interest.

The board moved and approved the appointment to fill the office until the next pending election, with the appointment effective in early January per the auditor's instruction. Chair Don Smiker thanked Jones for stepping forward. The board did not record a roll-call tally beyond the meeting'wide "ayes," and the motion carried.

The appointment follows the auditor's notice process; the board authorized the auditor to publish the necessary notices and to proceed with the statutory steps required for a midterm appointment.