Linn auditor launches campaign with defense of lawsuit

Linn County Auditor Joel Miller has launched his re-election campaign with a defense of his lawsuit against county supervisors.

"Not one of my opponents has expressed an interest in auditing," Miller posted on his campaign web site. "By their own admission, they are focused on improving harmony amongst county elected officials and bureaucrats. They want to reduce services so that the only time you hear from the County Auditor is when an election is occurring."

Neither of Miller's challengers in the June 5 Democratic primary have criticized his suit against the supervisors. But Republican challenger Garth Fagerbakke called the suit "frivolous" in announcing his own candidacy last week.

Miller filed suit against the supervisors in February 2010 after they refused to authorize the promotion of a deputy auditor whose duties would include reviewing independent accounts maintained by county department heads. That suit is scheduled for trial in late May.

Miller, of Robins, was first elected in a February 2007 special election after then-Auditor Linda Langenberg resigned to be appointed deputy secretary of state. He won to his first full term in 2008 after turning back a primary challenge from former Cedar Rapids Finance Commissioner Lyle Hanson.

He's challenged in the Democratic primary by former Linn County Supervisor Jim Houser and Brian Gradoville, an employee in the county treasurer's office.

The auditor's salary will be $92,574 for the fiscal year beginning July 1.