News : County officials wait for legal advice before acting on supervisor election

Benton County Auditor Jill Marlow says the county leaders have agreed on what to do about the vacancy on the Benton County Board of Supervisors: Nothing, for now.

The auditor met with Treasurer Kelly Beater and Recorder Lexa Speidel Thursday morning to discuss the vacancy. Those three are the ones charged with filling such vacancies.

Marlow said that what she would like to do is to hold an election for supervisor during the next November election.

Assistant County Attorney Emily Nydle attended the meeting; the county attorney's office will consider the county's options and offer legal advice. There will be another meeting at 2 p.m. next Tueday, July 16, in the supervisors meeting room.

"Emily said the county attorney's office should have an answer by Tuesday," said Marlow.

A special election would cost between $10,000 and $15,000, said Marlow. Adding the supervisor race to the city ballot would mean just printing separate city and township ballots. Rural voters already vote in polling places used for city elections, so there would be no extra expense for election sites.