Marion County Board Chair Steve Whritenour says the board could consider removing Supervisor of Assessments Mark Miller after he gives a presentation to answer a critical report about his office.
The board has called a special meeting for Monday night to hear Miller’s response to the report by Gary Twist. Twist will also be available to answer questions. After the presentation and question and answer, the board is scheduled to go into closed session to consider how to move forward with the Supervisor of Assessments office. Miller has already announced his intent to retire at the end of this year to allow for an orderly transition.
Whritenour says the Supervisor of Assessments office is the only one where the county board has the power to remove an elected official.
State statute says by a vote of two-thirds of its members, the county board may dismiss a supervisor of assessments before the expiration of his or her term for misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in the performance of the duties of the office.
The law says whenever the county board dismisses a supervisor of assessments, it shall specify its reasons in writing. The dismissed supervisor may, within 21 days after receipt of the statement of reasons for dismissal, request a hearing before the county board. The board is then required to conduct a hearing within 30 days of a timely request, and may reverse the dismissal by a vote of a majority of the members present.
Once the office is vacant, the board must make an appointment for a full term. However, they may appoint an acting supervisor of assessments for no more than 60 days until a qualified person is appointed to fill the remainder of the term.
Whritenour says two people have also requested to be on Monday’s agenda to make public comment about the Supervisor of Assessments.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at six Monday night in the large third floor courtroom.
