Electors to decide March 10 if treasurer, clerk positions are elected or appointed

The Town of Plum Lake will hold a special town meeting of the electors Tuesday, March 10, at 5:30 p.m. at Plum Lake Town Hall to decide if clerk and treasurer positions will be filled by election or appointment going forward.

Elected officials are chosen by voters, and their names appear on the ballot. They also must live within the town to be added to the ballot. As an elected position, there is no direct performance oversight, and all performance concerns are not addressed until the next election.

Appointed positions are hired by the town board based on qualifications and experience, regardless of if they live within town limits. As the job is performance-based rather than election-based, they also are subject to ongoing oversight and any concerns can be addressed promptly. If there are concerns about the clerk or treasurer’s performance, they can be raised directly with the town board or during town meetings.

Whether elected or appointed, the job duties remain the same, and all public records and open meeting laws still apply. Audits and financial controls will remain in place and electors will still retain authority through town meetings and elections.

Only qualified electors of the Town of Plum Lake may vote during this meeting. All votes must be cast in-person