Dunn County Commission discusses auditor position, snow removal

Dec. 21—MANNING, N.D. — The Dunn County auditor/treasurer position opened several weeks ago, but Jessica Kirchoffner, who was elected to the role in November, will begin working until April.

The term does not begin until April, but the general election led to some restructuring of that office. Tracey Dolezal, long time auditor/treasurer, was elected as a county commissioner in the November election. Because she was not able to assume both roles, she resigned prior to being sworn in as a commissioner on Dec. 7.

At the Dunn County Commission meeting on Dec. 7, State's Attorney Stephenie Davis said Kirchoffner had the option of stepping in when the seat was vacated or waiting until April 1 when the term officially begins, according to state statute. Kirchoffner declined a request for comment by The Dickinson Press. Sally Whittingham, previously deputy treasurer, has been appointed interim auditor/treasurer.

"It was just kind of an odd thing because Tracy was moving to commissioner," Whittingham said. "Had she just been retiring, she wouldn't have actually retired until April. But being that she retired, and then moved over to the commission, that was a little bit different for us, something that's not normal. So we were a little bit prepared, just in case, you know, she decided that she wanted to wait until April. So we were going back and forth and doing a little bit of training beforehand."

A deputy auditor will also be retiring, which adds a second open position in the office.

"So we are definitely looking to hire another deputy auditor," Whittingham said. "And then as far as the deputy treasurer, or my position, I'll just kind of be doing both that and the interim auditor until April when Jessica comes on."

She is both excited and nervous about her new role.

"There's a lot to learn, definitely,' Whittingham said. "But you know, a challenge is always good for a person."

She added Dolezal is always willing to answer any questions she has.

"She's always willing to help and you know, we have a great auditor system around North Dakota," Whittingham said. "There's just a really good group of people that you can call on, any of the auditors in the other counties and the (North Dakota) Association of Counties. There's so many resources, that it makes it really nice to have that kind of a kind of backup if you need it."

The Dunn County Commission voted unanimously to approve Director of Human Resources Dessie Calihou's recommendation for Whittinghams' salary, during a Dec. 21 meeting.

"Miss Willingham has over 21 years of experience in accounting, the last five of which she has worked here as deputy auditor and deputy treasurer," Calihou said. "And she also has 16 years of supervisory experience. Using that experience and applying it to our pay scale — again, our practice is to give value to education and experience up to five years — and with that in mind, the recommended salary for the interim auditor/treasurer would be $40.18 per hour, or $83,574 annually."

The salary, which mirrors the salary commissioners previously set for Kirchoffner, is effective Dec. 7 through April 1.

In other business Annette Rohde, a bus driver for Killdeer Public Schools, addressed the commission about her concern for road conditions in the county. She said it usually takes several days after snowfall before her bus route is cleared.

"My concern is having a bus full of kids and 40 below out and we're traveling down a one lane road that's highly trafficked with semis" Rohde said. "I just want people to be held accountable. I'm out there doing my job driving these kids to school. I would like the roads to be cleaned appropriately as they should be. I'm not saying everything's going to be squeaky clean every time."

She is frustrated the roads are hazardous for so long after snowfall.

"It's just a disaster waiting to happen," Rohde said.

David Lym, Dunn County roads superintendent, said he will work to improve the situation.

"You've got every right to be frustrated," Lym said. "And yeah, you're right it is our job to get the busses out."

Commission Chair Larry Lundberg said bus routes should be a priority for snow removal.