Cole County's circuit clerk would become an appointed position, and the county auditor would have to approve payable claims as a "ministerial" duty, if the Legislature passes and Gov. Jay Nixon signs two of the bills the state Senate debated Tuesday.
Senators could have their final vote today on a bill allowing a majority of the judges in the 19th Circuit (Cole County) and 22nd Circuit (St. Louis City) to appoint their circuit clerks.
Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, added Cole County to the bill in the wake of Circuit Clerk Brenda Umstattd's recent resignation.