County preparing for loss of clerk and treasurer

With Price County Treasurer Lynn Neeck and County Clerk Jean Gottwald both not seeking reelection in November, the county is planning for an experienced assistant to assist the new clerk and treasurers who will take office in January.

“In January, there will be a transition,” said County Administrator Nick Trimner in his report to the Price County Executive Committee on May 14. “We are losing 30-plus years of treasurer knowledge and 20-plus years of clerk knowledge. Where we’ll see the biggest effect on that is statutorily. Our elected officials go above and beyond.”

The loss of clerk experience during an election year is not a concern to the county, but also to the municipalities where part time clerks and treasurers depend on that support with ballots and elections, he said. The same support comes from the county treasurer in assisting the municipal clerks and treasurers with everything from mill rates to tax collection processes.

A newly elected treasurer who is coming in during the middle of property tax season is going to present challenges, not only to the county, but with the municipalities that depend on an experienced treasurer who has regularly gone above and beyond what is required of her to assist in the settlement process, he said.

“It’s really hard to replace somebody who has over 42 years on a job that has adapted to the needs of what’s going on,” Trimner said of Neeck. “They are retiring and that will really affect the outcome or what they do at municipalities.”

These are two vital positions that have evolved with changing county needs over the decades, he said

The county has made an offer to an experienced individual to come in to work with the treasurer’s office and learn some of the processes prior to their stepping down in early January. The intent is to have an experienced deputy to work during the primary and presidential elections in order to effectively assist the newly elected clerk. The same will be sought for the treasurer’s office.

“So they have the best chance of being successful,” Trimner said of the new officials.