Earlier this week, the Greene County Board of Supervisors went over one hurdle toward filling a vacancy for one county elected office.

At their most recent meeting this past Monday, the Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution of their intention to appoint Deputy Auditor Billie Jo Hoskins as County Auditor on July 16th, following the impending retirement of the current Auditor Jane Heun on July 14th. Supervisor Chair John Muir explains part of the Board’s reasoning for why they are wanting to do an appointment versus having a special election is the cost of having a special election, which would be around $5,000 and why they were comfortable with their choice in Hoskins.

‘We’re looking at somebody who’s qualified, has had experience (in the auditor’s office), is able to take over the office without a big disruption. For this period of time that’s left before there’d be an election, it makes sense to appoint Billie. Right now, we feel the best person to fill that position is already in the office and in place.”  

Hoskins has over 30 years of experience in the Greene County Auditor’s Office and if the appointment is official, she would serve until the end of the term in 2024 and the seat would come up for the regular election in November of that year. 

Greene County residents will have two opportunities to call for a special election. The first one is when the resolution for intent to appoint is published next week, residents can submit a petition within 14 days with 362 signatures to the auditor’s office. The other opportunity is when the Board officially appoints Hoskins as auditor on July 16th, residents will have another 14 days to submit a petition.