Auditor hopefuls disagree on ‘perfect’ audit

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Davison County Auditor Susan Kiepke, right, answers a media question during the forum while her opponent, Val Anderson, listens. (Chris Huber/Republic Photo)

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The candidates for Davison County auditor differed Tuesday evening on what constitutes a good audit. “I would strive for a perfect audit,” said Val Anderson, the independent challenger. “I strive for perfect, but perfect is not attainable,” said Susan Kiepke, the Republican incumbent. She added that every auditor is shaped by the person who held the office before them and how they managed the office.

Kiepke and Anderson discussed their qualifications, plans and thoughts about the office during a forum sponsored by the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce

The audit comments came in response to a question from the media panel about independent audits, which counties are required to undergo on a regular basis.

The forum, held at Mitchell Technical Institute’s Technology Center and attended by about 75 people, had three segments. Kiepke and Anderson took the middle part of the two-hour event.

Kiepke pointed out that she had served as deputy auditor for eight years and is concluding a four-year term as auditor.

“I would like to continue to work for the taxpayers of Davison County,” she said.

Anderson said she worked as an accountant for 21 years and has 14½ years of experience supervising people and managing an office.

“I want to bring a new level of energy and enthusiasm to the office,” she said.

The candidates agreed on most issues.

They said the auditor serves as the administrative assistant to the county commission and has an obligation to inform the commissioners of changes in state law and other information that impacts the county.

Kiepke said she also feels obliged to let the commissioners know when they may be going too far on an issue.

She said she has worked to improve absentee voting by moving it into the commissioners’ room.

Kiepke said she also has teamed with the city of Mitchell to hold a joint election in 2008. She said increased cooperation between the city and county seems like an excellent idea.

Kiepke said both the city and county need a new governmental building and perhaps could share one.

Anderson said she agrees with the need for the governments to work together.

She suggested that perhaps they could share a personnel office.

Anderson said she feels managing people is one of her strong points.

“I have learned over the last 14 years to pick up on people’s personalities,” she said, adding that the approach allows her to properly lead and motivate them.

Kiepke said she has learned by “doing” during her four years in charge of the office.

“I have learned to be a boss, you can’t be a people person,” she said. “You have to be tough and make them accountable.”

The auditor’s office has three full-time employees and hires part-time workers during election seasons, according to Kiepke.

Both women said they would continue to make the office as cost-efficient as possible.

Kiepke said she cut her budget 4 percent this year.

“I’m very conservative,” she said. “I utilize whatever resource I can. I don’t know where I could cut more than I already have.”

Anderson said she would focus on technology to make the office as efficient as possible.

“We want a tight ship,” she said.

Both also favor placing more county information on the county website. Anderson said she is completely in favor of making county government “open and transparent.”

Kiepke said she would work to do so, but added “it’s a slow process.”

When asked whether county auditors should be appointed rather than elected, Anderson said she has no answer on that now.

Kiepke said she has mixed feelings on it but dislikes taking away the public’s input on the office.

Anderson said she decided to become more involved in her community. She thought that might mean joining a civic club but has found herself running for county office.

She said she has worked with companies with budgets ranging from $300,000 to $21 million and knows how to communicate with management officials.

“I believe that gives me the ability to work with the county commission,” Anderson said.

Kiepke said she feels she works well with the public, other county department heads and the county commissioners.

“I feel I have done a good job for Davison County and would like to continue to do so,” she said.

Tags: election 2010, susan kiepke, val anderson, news, local, fccnetwork