MADISON COUNTY, Iowa – Madison County leaders now have a vacancy to fill, but how that will happen is unclear.

On Tuesday, one week after Auditor Teri Kaczinski submitted her letter of resignation, the Board of Supervisors formally filed it during their first meeting since the news broke.

“I’d like to know what the plans are for posting for the Auditor’s position,” said former County Clerk Michelle Brant. “Don’t see anything on the website for that.”

Brant, who resigned in March shortly after she said she was blindsided to learn during a BOS meeting that her position was going to be cut, has continued to attend the meetings and speak out about transparency concerns. She addressed the board during public comments on Tuesday, stating, “I am assuming if we’re going to handle it like we did with the County Attorney, where we post for that job, and then we’ll go to an appointment from there.”

Supervisors Jessica Hobbs, Heather Stancil, and Diane Fitch are not required to respond to public comments and did not address the issue during the meeting. According to Iowa code, the position can be filled by board appointment or special election if voters petition for one.

In the letter, which Kaczinski published to her official Facebook page, she cited the “emotional toll” the position had taken on her. Kaczinski had drawn scrutiny after repeatedly trying to hire her former campaign manager, missing a statewide auditor’s training, and being physically absent from several important county meetings.

She submitted the letter one day after dropping a legal challenge that she had brought against the BOS.

Her resignation will not be until July 4th, which is roughly two months away and crosses into the next fiscal year. Kaczinski stated in her letter that the date “will allow time for the Board of Supervisors to appoint a replacement” and “to help ensure a responsible transition.” However, some local citizens have concerns.

“I am requesting the board urge her to resign, effective immediately,” said Vicky Brenner of Winterset.

Brenner has been vocal about many issues that have plagued the county recently, speaking out during nearly every board meeting’s public comment period for months.

All three supervisors declined to interview with WHO 13 after the meeting Tuesday night, stating it was unclear what the next steps would be.

WHO 13 reached out to Kaczinski after she tendered her resignation, but she also declined to comment.

The issues surrounding the auditor’s office come in the wake of the County Treasurer’s arrest for alleged Felonious Misconduct in Office, following months of turmoil surrounding the county leadership, and have spawned an alleged secondary investigation by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.