New county treasurer selected.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — Andrew Kmetz IV was selected this morning to be the new Mason County treasurer. Kmetz was one of five candidates who were interviewed for the position by the Mason County Appointment Authority, which consisted of Mason County Clerk Cheryl Kelly, Mason County Probate Judge Jeff Nellis and Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

The position became open when current treasurer, Shirley Smith, announced her retirement, effective Feb. 29. Smith has been treasurer since Jan. 1, 2012. Kmetz will hold the position until the term expires on Dec. 31 of this year. The treasurer is an elected position and will be decided by voters during the Presidential Election in November.

Kmetz has worked as a deputy treasurer for Mason County for three years. He was unanimously chosen by the committee over other candidates: Shirley Zwiefka, Nick Krieger, Jennifer Doggett and Christi Helminiak.

Kmetz is a resident of Ludington and has a bachelor’s of science degree with a major in accounting from Central Michigan University.

The treasurer’s position has a starting salary of $50,493. Currently Kmetz is the only person to file a petition to run for office. The filing deadline is April 19 for the August primary.