Dasenbrock Discusses Retirement, Process of Choosing Successor

Effingham County Treasurer Steve Dasenbrock has served for almost 20 years, but announced some time ago that he would not be seeking re-election.

Now, Dasenbrock has a new job and he's trying to retire early from the Treasurer's position. How that will be handled is the question.

(COUNTY TREASURER STEVE DASENBROCK)

Dasenbrock has indicated he would be willing to depart June 30, but also has suggested resigning in September. He feels leaving in September would keep him on hand to help complete the property tax cycle, but says his new job with J&J Ventures Gaming will pay his insurance and leaving ASAP would eliminate paying in on his retirement.

There is also the question of who will succeed him until the new Treasurer is elected in November and seated after December 1. 

Dasenbrock is a Democrat, but has supported his employee, Republican Paula Miller, in the election process to date. Still, Dasenbrock would rather his Chief Deputy Mary Behl fill out his term. She has been a Democrat, but pulled a Republican ballot in the past election to support her co-worker, Miller. 

The matter is complicated by Statute that indicates once Dasenbrock resigns, a replacement is recommended by his party, in this case, the Democrats, and the County Board usually follows their recommendation in naming a successor. 

County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel has talked with the State Board of Elections on the issue, and he said State officials said the matter is "murky". 

Dasenbrock said he doesn't want the issue to "become political", but there is now a Democrat candidate for County Treasurer, the recently-slated Bill Passalacqua.

The Board voted to remand the question to their legislative committee for further consideration.