Petition circulating to combine Dickinson County, IA auditor, re - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

A petition to put a proposal to combine the Auditor and Recorders offices on the November General Election Ballot is making the rounds in Dickinson county. The county's longtime Recorder retired last month, leaving the position vacant.

5,018 signatures are needed to put the measure on the ballot. Proponents of the measure say they had about half those as of earlier this week. They have until August 24th to get the needed number of signatures.

Controversy over the petition swirled at a crowded board of supervisors meeting earlier this week. Proponents of the measure say it would save the county's taxpayers money; opponents say it could result in long lines in what are two of the busiest offices in the courthouse, and that the inconvenience would offset any savings on tax bills.

Republicans have nominated a candidate for the office who's name will appear on the November ballot. A Democratic candidate hasn't been announced yet.