By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Humboldt County, IA – Humboldt County’s Auditor is looking forward to having more time with family as she prepares to retire after 37 years of service to the people of the county.
For a while now it has been known by the people of Humboldt County that Peggy Rice would be retiring as the auditor. Rice has always worked to serve the community the best she could during her 37 year tenure. She talks with KHBT about her time as the auditor.
Rice says that she never expected that she would be in office for such along time but is ultimately glad she did. “It’s been pretty exciting” says Rice. Over the years the auditor has seen a lot of changes. She admits that she thought she knew what she was getting into but quickly realized there was a lot she didn’t expect. “I learned a lot from the people along the way.” Fellow auditors and her co-workers within the county helped Rice where ever they could. “It’s just been just an amazing job. I never thought this would be a career that I could get into and that’s what it turned into.”
Rice says after her retirement she’s looking forward to many things but none more than getting to spend time with her family including her husband who has been her “rock.” Being a county auditor can have many late nights and weekends but Rice says her husband never questioned when she worked late. “He just is there for me.”
Her two sons, Tim and Cory, and daughter Amy are also very supportive of Rice. The auditor is looking forward to spending more time with them and her seven grandkids and great grandson. “I just need to spend more time with them, let them know how much I love them.” This is especially true during “this time of COVID.”
Rice admits that with everything going on with her job she needed to be more absent from her personal life so she could be there during the election. She says she just hasn’t been able to be there very much in order to keep herself healthy and in the office. With her retirement she plans to make up for it.
With Rice’s departure the people of Humboldt County have elected Trish Erickson to be their next auditor. Rice is confident in her successor’s ability to fulfil the role of auditor. “Trish will do a great job.” First thing Rice notes is that Erickson has a great staff to work with. The current auditor says Erickson is also personable, caring and will listen when people have problems. “She’ll help figure out what the answer is” Rice says who sees a good tradition of what she started continuing.
Long time Humboldt County Auditor Peggy Rice might be retiring from her position but reminds the community she will still be around as a member of the community. In closing she says she wants to wish everyone happy holidays.