Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea, introduced a bill that would allow the county government to contract with private accountants for audits.

“During a time of cutbacks, we need to give county governments some regulatory relief, allowing them to make decisions that are best for their own communities,” Dorman said in a press release.

The current statute designates the state auditor to conduct county audits. But, cities and school districts can hire certified public accountants.

“There is no valid reason why counties should still be obligated to have the state auditor look at their books, sometimes at greater cost,” Dorman said.