Charles Mix County hires Sherri Fuchs as interim auditor

A county employee and candidate for Charles Mix County auditor was hired Thursday to serve as interim auditor until next March.

Sherri Fuchs, who has been an administrative assistant in the Director of Equalization office for five-and-a-half years, was chosen by county commissioners to serve the rest of outgoing Auditor Angie Meyerink’s term starting Aug. 1.

Fuchs said she applied for the position because she thought it would be good experience if she is elected this fall.

“It’s a new challenge, new experience and I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.

Meyerink resigned last month, taking effect on July 31. She was elected in November 2006 and took office in March 2007.

Fuchs will serve until the newly-elected auditor starts her term in March.

Jennifer Rucktaeschel, of Lake Andes, who also is running for auditor in November, was the other applicant. A third woman from Lake Andes withdrew her application Wednesday, Meyerink said.

According to state law, Fuchs will earn $29,270 — the amount for auditors who work in a county with fewer than 10,000 residents.

County Commissioner Neil Von Eschen, of Wagner, said commissioners hired Fuchs because she knows the county’s computer system and has worked in the assessor’s office for several years.

“I think they were both good candidates,” he said. “This one just happened to ideally fill the spot for now.”

Rucktaeschel is an office coordinator and receptionist at Wagner Native Ethanol plant, according to its website.

Fuchs, 27, cited having experience in filing tax levies, assisting with that office’s budget, handling money for building permits and working with taxpayers as qualifications for the position. She also served as a clerk at K’s Quik Stop in Wagner, helping the manager with bank deposits and opening the store for three-and-a-half to four years, she said.

Fuchs said she will learn about payroll duties next week and rely on deputy auditors and the state Department of Revenue and Regulation for assistance. The county’s budget is mostly done, a task that Meyerink wanted to complete before she resigned, Fuchs said.

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