Questions remain over hiring tactics in Madison County government
MADISON COUNTY, Iowa – Madison County residents continue to raise concerns amid a tumultuous time in county leadership.
'This is not normal. All we want is to get back to normal,' said James Phillips. 'We just want your jobs to be boring again.'
Phillips, who lives in Winterset, was one of several people who took advantage of the public comments portion of the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday night.
He was speaking out about the county government's latest controversy, which involves Madison County Auditor Teri Kaczinski, who is challenging the Madison County Board of Supervisors' decision against hiring her former campaign manager, Leslie Beck.
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WHO 13 broke the story Monday night. Kaczinski has taken legal action and is asking the Iowa Supreme Court to review the decision by the board. In the court petition, Kaczinski alleges supervisors acted illegally during a March 26 meeting by rejecting her request for additional staff.
It had been the third attempt to employ Beck. That includes twice as an employee of the auditor's office and a third time as an employee of a controversial third-party consulting agency that Auditor Kaczinski hired in late January for $250 an hour.
The filing states, in part: 'The board exceeded its authority and acted improperly and illegally when it denied the auditor's resolution to appoint Leslie Beck as a deputy auditor on frivolous, trivial, minimal, arbitrary or capricious grounds.'
During Tuesday's BOS meeting, roughly 24 hours after the news broke, residents packed the meeting room over capacity.
'I would like to say what everybody in this room is thinking, we are embarrassed by the behavior of our so-called supervisors,' said Susan M. 'It is not acceptable to anybody that we are having underhanded, secretive hires.'
Extra deputies were also on hand Tuesday night after the previous board meeting two weeks ago nearly got out of hand. Tensions rose during the March 26 meeting after the vote surrounding Beck. Supervisor Chair Heather Stancil, who had to abstain from the vote due to a conflict of interest, was upset by the outcome and questioned Supervisor Diane Fitch, who had voted against the hiring. Members of the public, who were angered by Supervisor Stancil's response, began to chime in, which prompted the Sheriff to get involved to keep the meeting in order.
Following her vote, Supervisor Fitch stated that she had been worried about transparency and the process in which Beck's hiring had been handled previously by the auditor's office. It is a concern that was echoed by multiple residents.
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'I think it's very important that there has been this attention on hiring practices in Madison County and that practices are followed in a legal and equitable manner,' said Carol Freeman, of Saint Charles. 'I'm also deeply concerned about the lawsuit that was recently filed by the auditor's office, and I encourage the supervisors to do everything they can in addressing that matter.'
On Tuesday, the board was tasked with approving a different hire within the auditor's office. The hiring of Lawra Mathes as a full-time First Deputy Auditor with a $60,318 annual salary was ultimately approved. Supervisor Stancil and Supervisor Jessica Hobbs voted in favor of the move. Supervisor Fitch was the lone vote against it, stating she again had concerns over the hiring process.
While the First Deputy Auditor position was posted publicly, it was unclear how many candidates were interviewed for the job. It was confirmed during the meeting that Mathes started the job before being officially approved by the board and before proper background check procedures were followed.
Auditor Kaczinski, who has not physically attended several pertinent meetings in recent weeks, joined by phone Tuesday night, where she admitted to and apologized for the lack of procedure. Kaczinski stated that she had been eager to get Mathes started and had been caught up in the excitement and forgot to get the proper background check completed.
Her comments prompted a response of scoffs and laughter from some of the residents in attendance.
WHO 13 reached out to Auditor Kaczinski and all three supervisors for comment after the filing was obtained on Monday. Supervisor Fitch said she was advised by legal counsel not to comment. Auditor Kaczinski and Supervisors Stancil and Hobbs have not responded.
These events are just the latest controversy surrounding the Madison County government in recent months, following the arrest of the Treasurer, reports of alleged money mishandling, major budget cuts and contentious BOS meetings.
Questions remain over hiring tactics in Madison County government
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WHO 13 Farm Report: Tuesday, April 8th
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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