BLUE EARTH– Gathering for the second time in two weeks, the Faribault County Board of Commissioners had a shorter agenda than usual at their meeting on Tuesday.

The topic drawing the bulk of the discussion was a resolution which would change the position of county auditor/treasurer from an elected position to an appointed one.

A public hearing was held on the matter and some residents of the county were at the meeting to express their concerns.

One question was from Joel Welder who wondered why, at his point, is the change necessary.

“Is this a cost-saving measure?” Welder asked.

Commissioner Greg Young fielded Welder’s question.

“It comes down to the fact that we are having trouble filling the position,” Young replied. “We are worried that an unqualified person could be elected to the position.”

More discussion followed, but in the end the board voted to pass the resolution to change the county/auditor position to an appointed position. Commissioner Tom Loveall cast the lone dissenting vote.

There is now a 30-day period where those opposed to the change can gather signatures for a petition to bring the matter to a referendum vote.

The number of signatures required is 845, or 10 percent of the county’s 8,455 register voters.

In other business:

— The board approved the requests of Merissa Lore and Dustin Anderson of the county drainage department to attend the Minnesota Drainage Conference.

— The board voted to approve Faribault County Geographic Information Systems Coordinator Brandee Douglas’ request to attend the Minnesota Drainage Conference.