Nicholas Benson

By KATIE SEGULA

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Marquette County Treasurer Nicholas Benson will resign from the position effective Aug. 31 and plans to return to his previous position within the Marquette County Equalization Department on Sept. 1, according to County officials.

His resignation letter was received by the Marquette County Board of Commissioners at the board’s meeting Tuesday night.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Marquette County and I appreciate the support I received in the most recent election,” Benson wrote in his resignation letter to the county board. I look forward to working with you and other county staff to provide a smooth transition.”

With Benson’s resignation, Marquette County officials are seeking to fill the remainder of the term, which expires Dec. 31, 2022.

A committee composed of Marquette County Probate Judge Cheryl Hill, Marquette County Clerk Linda Talsma and Marquette County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Wiese will appoint a person to fill the vacancy and complete the term of office, county officials said.

The committee is accepting applications to fill the position. The deadline for consideration as Marquette County treasurer appointment is 4 p.m. Aug. 27.

“Whomever is appointed will have to run as a candidate for county treasurer in the 2022 election cycle and be elected if they wish to retain the position,” county officials said in an announcement. “The county treasurer’s term is a four-year term and the elections are on the same cycle as the presidential elections.”

The Marquette County Board of Commissioners set the current salary for treasurer at $64,187.61.

Officials say permanent residency in Marquette County is a requirement by the time of oath of office is administered to the new appointee.

Interested applicants are encouraged to mail or deliver their resume with a letter of application to Linda Talsma, Marquette County Clerk, 234 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI, 49855.

The committee will review the applications received and interview the most qualified candidates before making the appointment. The committee will hold interviews in the Marquette county Probate Courtroom under the Open Meetings Act beginning at 1 p.m. Aug. 31.

Katie Segula can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is ksegula@miningjournal.net.