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The Auditor calculates tax for all taxing entities in the County (schools,
cities, townships, etc.) by applying taxes levied by those entities to the
valuations of each property as determined by the Assessor, and then prepares a
tax list showing each taxpayer's share of the total. There figures are then
certified to the County Treasurer's Office. Many of the records prepared in the
Auditor's office are maintained permanently and are available for public use. Financial
duties of the Auditor include the preparation of the County's budget from
material submitted by its departments and other agencies and issuing payment
for all services, materials, and payroll charged to the County. The Auditor
then maintains a ledger for each department in the County throughout the fiscal
year (July 1 through June 30). The Auditor also keeps and maintains permanent
financial records for the County. Many financial reports are published for
public information.
As clerk to the Board of Supervisors, the Auditor may perform a variety of
duties depending on the size of the County. The Auditor may accept petitions,
register complaints, or act on routine business in the absence of the Board.
The Auditor often prepares Board meeting agendas, notifies the media, attends
all Board meetings, keeps and records Board meeting minutes, and publishes the
proceedings in the official County newspapers. The Auditor initiates bid
notices, solicits proposals for County contracts for materials and services,
and receives contract proposals. Official papers dealing with Board of
Supervisors' business are referenced and maintained by the Auditor.
As Commissioner of Elections, the Auditor is in charge of all regular and
special elections in the County- federal, state, county, city, and school
district. The Auditor prepares and supervises the printing of ballots and/or
programming of voting machines as well as ordering all election supplies. The
Auditor also conducts training for precinct election officials and provides
information to see that the election laws of Iowa are obeyed. This is an
important trust placed in the Auditor's care. Assurance that the voting process
is conducted according to the laws is very important. The Auditor provides
public information for and conducts voter registration efforts in the County.
The Auditor maintains all official voter registration records. After an
election, the Auditor certifies the results to the state or to the political
subdivision involved, and issues certificates of election to the proper
persons. Some election records are maintained permanently, others for a
specified period of time. The County Auditor enters and maintains records of
all real estate transfers in the County. The Auditor keeps the plat maps and
transfer books current, so that the public can examine the books to determine
property ownership. The Auditor's office works closely with area real estate
brokers, attorneys, property owners and other individuals who deal with real
estate transactions.
How Does a Citizen interact with the Auditor?
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A citizen may register to vote at the Auditor's office or by mail.
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A registered voter may vote an absentee ballot at the Auditor's office, or may
request in writing from that office that an absentee ballot be mailed.
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Information concerning the ownership, valuation and taxation of property in the
County is available in the Auditor's office.
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Public information about budgets, taxes, county expenditures, elections, and
the proceedings and minutes of the Board of Supervisors is available in the
Auditor's office.
Information adapted from the Iowa State Association of County Auditors pamphlet
"The County Auditor"
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