Mo. rep wants county commissions to fill vacancies

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A bill moving through Missouri's Legislature would spare county governments from having key offices vacant for long periods of time.

Vacancies in the offices of county clerk, assessor and collector are filled by appointments by Missouri's governor. But those appointments can take four to six months.

A bill by House Republican Tony Dugger, of Hartville, would let county commissions name interim appointees who would serve until the governor makes a permanent appointment.

Dugger says allowing for interim appointments would ensure that county governments continue to function smoothly.

Dugger's bill has passed the House. It now awaits action in the Senate.

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Vacancies bill is HB1340

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov