Dennis Parrott announces retirement from county auditor’s office

Jasper County Auditor Dennis Parrott announced today that he will be retiring from his office, effective Dec. 31, which means the board of supervisors will most likely have to hold a special election or appoint a new person to fill the position at the start of 2023. Parrott was first elected county auditor in 2004.

For the past 36 years Parrott has held some kind of IPERS job, whether it was working at the Page County Recorder’s Office, the State of Iowa or Jasper County. At the board of supervisors meeting this morning Parrott did not give a reason for his retirement other than “it’s time.”

Looking back on his years in office, Parrott said he enjoyed bantering with the press, supervisors and elected officials and working on issues together. To him, his ventures into government work began on his 9th birthday in 1963, the same date and year President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

“It’s almost 60 years ago,” Parrot said. “You know, I’m tired of it. I just am. It has gone a direction I didn’t ever think it would go, but it has. And it’s time for somebody else to handle these issues, to help solve the problems, to advise the board and work with the other people, the other elected officials.”

According to Iowa Code, if the board of supervisors decide to appoint another person to the role of the county auditor, it must be within 40 days after the vacancy occurs, which would be approximately early to mid-February. The appointment will last until the next general election.

If supervisors decide an appointment is the best option, then a notice must be published stating the board intends to fill the vacancy. However, Iowa Code states voters in Jasper County have the right to file a petition requiring the vacancy be filled by a special election.

Iowa Code also allows Jasper County voters to file a petition requesting a special election within the first 14 days an appointment is made. Petitions will be valid if signed by eligible voters of the county equal in number to at least 10 percent of the votes cast in this coming general election for governor.

Voters who sign a petition must include a signature, their address and the date.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext 560 or at cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com