Staff writer
Marion County Commission drew names out of a hat Monday to break ties in 11 races for township offices in the county.
The 11 ties were between candidates with a single write-in vote.
Donald Mueller was selected as Blaine Township treasurer. Thomas Duggan was selected as Blaine Township trustee.
For Colfax Township, the commission drew Jessica Gilbert for treasurer and Patricia Wick for trustee.
Melvin Rosfeld’s name was drawn for East Branch Township trustee.
For Grant Township, the commission drew Larry Landsverk for treasurer and Eileen Sieger for trustee.
Robert Mosier’s name was drawn for Milton Township treasurer.
Kent Becker won the tiebreaker as Moore Township trustee.
For Summit Township, the commission drew Mack Clark for treasurer and Arthur Wedel for trustee.
County clerk Carol Maggard said some of the winners had told her they would not accept if they won the tiebreaker. In those races, other township officers will make recommendations to the commission for appointments.
In other business:
- The commission unanimously approved a five-year contract with Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd for budget and audit services. The contract specifies the firm will prepare the county budget for no more than $20,000, and audit the county for no more than $35,000. A second contract said the county will pay the accounting firm a minimum of $7,500 for audits of federal funds, but such an audit is only required if the county spends $500,000 or more of federal money in a fiscal year.
- The next commission meeting is 9 a.m. Wednesday. The commission will meet Monday at 9 a.m. to review the situation of Marion County Road and Bridge Department, as well as explore what the county can do after the defeat of the jail issue in the general election.
- The courthouse will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. The courthouse also will be closed Dec. 25 and 26.