What should happen to the county treasurer’s position?

McLeod County residents will have the opportunity next week to voice their opinion on how county government should be structured.

County commissioners have scheduled a public hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, to seek public comments about the future of the county treasurer position. The hearing will take place during the regular County Board meeting, in the boardroom at the Courthouse, 830 E. 11th St., Glencoe.

Current County Treasurer Linda Radtke earlier this month announced she would retire effective Dec. 31. The county treasurer position is currently an elected office and Radtke’s term would have ended January 2011.

News of Radtke’s retirement opened the door to a discussion on whether the position should be consolidated with the auditor’s office. Thirty-six of Minnesota’s 87 counties have combined elected auditor/treasurer positions.

County Attorney Mike Junge said the County Board could propose making the treasurer an appointed position. Such a move would require approval by countywide voters in a public referendum.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)