MEDIA RELEASE
League of Women Voters of McLean County Supports Ballot Proposal to Eliminate Elected Auditor Office
September 18, 2024 / Bloomington, IL
The League of Women Voters of McLean County (LWVMC) believes an informed electorate is necessary for democracy to thrive and survive. With that in mind, the organization announced it is supporting a November ballot referendum to eliminate the elected McLean County Auditor office. It is also outlining for voters the reasons behind its position.
The County Auditor referendum will need a simple majority vote to pass. The McLean County Board, understanding how the finances of the County work, voted unanimously to place the question on the ballot, signaling the significance of the proposed change.
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization that does not endorse candidates, but does take positions on issues of significant community interest. The League sees this as an important issue for voters.
"We believe in efficient and effective government and eliminating the County Auditor's office as an elected position since it does not make policy. The public has little, if any, actual insight into how well the County Auditor's duties are being performed. Its elimination would also do away with functions already being performed by other County offices and by a state-required outside auditing firm." Laurie Wollrab, LWV of McLean County President
The League supports this referendum for the following reasons:
1. We believe the elected Auditor should be an appointed position because it does not establish policy. The League previously studied the issue and supported eliminating the elected position based on the belief that officials should only be elected if they oversee government policy. The County Auditor's office is solely administrative, and it oversees the County's financial accounting and bookkeeping. These are functions that are almost impossible for voters to assess.
2. If the referendum passes and the office of the elected auditor is eliminated, the County Auditor's functions can be streamlined and performed by existing qualified McLean County staff with appropriate internal controls in place.
3. Modern finance software, along with better internal communication, will improve accuracy and efficiencies in auditing-related functions. This will result in significant tax savings, with as much as $100,000 in reduced costs the first year, and a major step toward increased efficiency.
McLean County Administrator Cassy Taylor said if the referendum passes, the County would develop a transition plan to determine the best way to redistribute the responsibilities of the Auditor's office. The elected McLean County Auditor salary for fiscal year 2025 is currently budgeted for $83,824.
The League's McLean County Board observer, who regularly monitors County Board decisions, points out McLean County government is preparing to implement new software in 2025 that will help streamline auditing functions so workload concerns should not be a factor in how people vote on the referendum.
Early voting gets under way in the City of Bloomington and McLean County, including the Town of Normal, at Eastland Mall, and for Bloomington at the Government Center starting September 26. That is also the first day vote-by-mail ballots can be sent to voters who have made a request.
The League of Women Voters of McLean County is a nonpartisan political organization that does not support candidates for office. We encourage informed and active participation in government, work to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influence public policy through education and advocacy. Learn more at lwvmclean.org.