Staff explains petition and referendum options as commissioners debate public vote

During the meeting commissioners asked whether voters would have an opportunity to express themselves before the commission decided to consolidate the auditor and treasurer offices. A staff advisor explained the legal mechanics, saying the statute provides two methods: the commission can adopt a consolidation subject to a later referendum if citizens petition, or citizens can petition for a referendum before the commission acts.

The staff advisor summarized: "the law allows for 2 ways to go at it, and and we're doing 1 of the 2 ways." Commissioners agreed public participation depends on petition thresholds and timing rather than an automatic pre-decision poll. The staff member also urged that public notice efforts (newspaper, marquee, Facebook) were being used to inform residents about the upcoming hearing and options to petition.