ALFRED — County Commissioners are unlikely to be discussing whether to put to referendum a question to change the elected county treasurer position to an appointed one at their meeting Wednesday. County Manager Greg Zinser said the matter has been removed from the agenda, though he didn’t say why, so it won’t be talked about unless commissioners decide to bring it up, he said in an email. It is unclear however, whether the referendum issue is still being pursued and if it could arise at a later date.

At the same time, the number of candidates for the part-time treasurer’s position has decreased from two to one ”“ though that could change as well. Party candidates for all county and state elected offices have until the close of business March 17 to submit nomination papers for the June primary to the Secretary of State’s Office.

A week ago, there were two Democratic candidates for York County treasurer: incumbent Frank Wood of Saco, who said he’s in the running for another term, and Bob Mills, but the Biddeford city councilor has since dropped out. In an email to Wood, County Commissioner Richard Dutremble and the Journal Tribune on Monday, Mills said family medical issues have arisen, and so he feels unable to mount a countywide campaign, and offered to help Wood in his bid for re-election.

So far, no Republicans have registered their intention to run for the treasurer’s office, and a number of county elected positions have no challengers, so far, in either the June 10 primary or the November general election.

Here’s who is running for county office, so far:

Incumbent Democrat Sallie Chandler is unchallenged for County Commission District 1, which includes Acton, Berwick, Cornish, Lebanon, Limerick, Limington, Newfield, North Berwick, Parsonsfield and South Berwick.

Incumbent Democrat Richard Dutremble is unchallenged for County Commission District 2, which includes Arundel, Biddeford, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Cabral will face a challenge in November for County Commission District 3, which includes Buxton, Hollis, Old Orchard Beach and Saco, by retired sheriff’s deputy Roger Hicks, who is running as an independent candidate.

Incumbent Debra Lee Anderson is unopposed as Register of Deeds.

The open race for York County sheriff has three Democratic candidates: former deputy Paul Main of Alfred, South Berwick Police Chief Dana Lajoie and Chief Deputy Bill King. So far, no Republicans have submitted nomination papers to the Secretary of State’s Office or registered with the Maine Ethics Commission.

York County District Attorney Kathryn Slattery, the incumbent Democrat, said she is seeking re-election. So far, no Republicans have signaled an intent to run.

As to the county treasurer’s position, Zinser, the county manager, has said with an appointed finance director in place, the treasurer’s position doesn’t serve a particular function in York County. He said having an elected county treasurer is a carry over from “the old way of operating.”

Both Wood ”“ who is a former state purchasing agent and the former chief finance officer for the Attorney General’s Office ”“ and Mills believe the position provides checks and balances, as does David A. Parkman, who chairs the state’s County Treasurers Association.

“An appointed treasurer will tell county commissioners what they want to hear,” Parkman said in a recent telephone interview. “If you’re elected, you can tell them what you think, period.”

Commission Chairman Sallie Chandler has previously said she had no problem letting the voters decide the matter in a referendum. She said she’s not sure if the treasurer really does provide “another set of eyes” on the county’s finances.

The part-time treasurer’s position currently pays $6,736 annual salary. Under a new wage plan for elected officials approved by county commissioners in December, an incumbent would continue to receive the same salary, but if a new treasurer was elected, the pay would be reduced to $500 annually.

The pay scale for other elected county offices has also changed. Incumbents who are successful in election bids will be paid the same as they are now, but those newly elected will be paid a different rate.

The chairman of York County Commissioners currently receives $9,617, but a newly elected commissioner who was then named chairman would receive $9,429.

Other county commissioners currently receive $9,149, but newly elected officials would receive $8,969 under the new pay scale.

The Judge of Probate currently earns $50,489, according to information supplied by the county manager’s office, but a newly elected judge will earn a minimum of $35,000 to a maximum of $45,000 for the part-time position.

The Register of Deeds and Register of Probate each earn $67,153 in their full-time positions, but those newly elected would earn a minimum of $40,000 annually to a maximum of $55,000.

The York County Sheriff currently earns $90,639 annually. A newly elected sheriff will earn a minimum of $60,000 to a maximum of $80,000 annually.

According to the document, commissioners reserve the right to consider setting a ceiling above the maximum to recognize unique accomplishments of the official in his or her career, expertise in management, overall experience that supports exceeding the ceiling or other, unspecified factors.

The York County district attorney’s salary is paid by the state.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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