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County Auditor
Vic Hurlbert makes right decision
EDITORIAL
After a stormy decade in office and after becoming embroiled in a politically volatile investigation, Clay County Auditor Vic Hurlbert is calling it quits.
This is a wise move on his part. By resigning voluntarily, Hurlbert could potentially save himself and the county tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
At this point, Hurlbert is smart to cut his losses and exit from office before he jeopardizes his career as a certified public accountant in the private sector and creates more havoc for county government. That he plans to leave after the first of the year also allows the auditor to wrap up financial lose ends connected to the County Commission’s adoption of the 2009 budget in late January.
An investigation by Special Prosecutor Tim Dollar recently concluded that no probable cause existed for the filing of criminal charges against Hurlbert or former County Clerk Pam Mason for alleged mismanagement and misconduct in office.
But that does not mean that he was home free of more legal entanglements. Hurlbert’s job performance raised questions that could have led to Quo warranto action, which could have eventually ended with his ouster.
Although Hurlbert has fought with a lot of different county commissioners, this commission — composed of Ed Quick, Craig Porter and Larry Larson — got fed up with Hurlbert’s shenanigans.
At commission urging, the special prosecutor was appointed by a circuit court judge to look into allegations leveled against Hurlbert. By refusing to cooperate with outside auditors hired by the County Commission, Hurlbert cost taxpayers thousands of dollars, delayed release of the audit, threatened the county’s chances of attracting competitive auditing bids and exasperated commissioners. Just before that, Hurlbert had erected a wall without authorization or approval from the commission between his office and that of County Clerk Tom Brandom, who beat Hurlbert’s political ally Mason in the November 2006 election.
The wall brought heaps of negative publicity and derision to county government and was eventually removed at a waste of time and money.
Facing the threat of Quo warranto action and potentially costly litigation, Hurlbert announced he would submit his resignation in January, effective some time shortly thereafter.
By choosing to leave after the first of the year, Hurlbert’s departure creates an opportunity for a newly elected governor to appoint someone to fill Hurlbert’s unexpired two-year term.
Republican Hurlbert could find a Democrat filling his vacant seat if Jay Nixon wins, but a party label is really not important in a county office. We would, however, like to see the governor appoint someone with a background in accounting and experienced in running an office that was able to work harmoniously with other elected officials and county employees for the benefit of the taxpayers.
We hope the new governor won’t just see this as an opportunity to fill the job with one of his political cronies who could exacerbate problems that always seem to be simmering in Clay County government.
With the wobbly economy, the housing industry in shambles and people worried about their future, this is not a time to play politics with this important office. Even so, it underscores the importance of voters educating themselves about candidates before casting their votes in the upcoming November election.
We also hope that this embarrassing episode further convinces the county commission that it is time again look at asking the voters to approve a home-rule charter. The existing system is fatally flawed and needs to be changed.
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After a stormy decade in office and after becoming embroiled in a politically volatile investigation, Clay County Auditor Vic Hurlbert is calling it quits.
This is a wise move on his part. By resigning voluntarily, Hurlbert could potentially save himself and the county tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
At this point, Hurlbert is smart to cut his losses and exit from office before he jeopardizes his career as a certified public accountant in the private sector and creates more havoc for county government. That he plans to leave after the first of the year also allows the auditor to wrap up financial lose ends connected to the County Commission’s adoption of the 2009 budget in late January.
An investigation by Special Prosecutor Tim Dollar recently concluded that no probable cause existed for the filing of criminal charges against Hurlbert or former County Clerk Pam Mason for alleged mismanagement and misconduct in office.
But that does not mean that he was home free of more legal entanglements. Hurlbert’s job performance raised questions that could have led to Quo warranto action, which could have eventually ended with his ouster.
Although Hurlbert has fought with a lot of different county commissioners, this commission — composed of Ed Quick, Craig Porter and Larry Larson — got fed up with Hurlbert’s shenanigans.
At commission urging, the special prosecutor was appointed by a circuit court judge to look into allegations leveled against Hurlbert. By refusing to cooperate with outside auditors hired by the County Commission, Hurlbert cost taxpayers thousands of dollars, delayed release of the audit, threatened the county’s chances of attracting competitive auditing bids and exasperated commissioners. Just before that, Hurlbert had erected a wall without authorization or approval from the commission between his office and that of County Clerk Tom Brandom, who beat Hurlbert’s political ally Mason in the November 2006 election.
The wall brought heaps of negative publicity and derision to county government and was eventually removed at a waste of time and money.
Facing the threat of Quo warranto action and potentially costly litigation, Hurlbert announced he would submit his resignation in January, effective some time shortly thereafter.
By choosing to leave after the first of the year, Hurlbert’s departure creates an opportunity for a newly elected governor to appoint someone to fill Hurlbert’s unexpired two-year term.
Republican Hurlbert could find a Democrat filling his vacant seat if Jay Nixon wins, but a party label is really not important in a county office. We would, however, like to see the governor appoint someone with a background in accounting and experienced in running an office that was able to work harmoniously with other elected officials and county employees for the benefit of the taxpayers.
We hope the new governor won’t just see this as an opportunity to fill the job with one of his political cronies who could exacerbate problems that always seem to be simmering in Clay County government.
With the wobbly economy, the housing industry in shambles and people worried about their future, this is not a time to play politics with this important office. Even so, it underscores the importance of voters educating themselves about candidates before casting their votes in the upcoming November election.
We also hope that this embarrassing episode further convinces the county commission that it is time again look at asking the voters to approve a home-rule charter. The existing system is fatally flawed and needs to be changed.