Courtney Balkenende was unanimously appointed as Webster County Recorder by the Webster County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning.

Balkenende has been with the Recorder’s Office for nine years, most recently serving as the Deputy Recorder. She follows Lindsay Laufersweiler who left the recorder role earlier this month for a position outside of county government.

The supervisors published notice on July 14 of their intent to fill the vacancy, and all applications were due by last Friday.

According to Webster County Supervisor Niki Conrad, there were 18 applicants, four of which were disqualified because they did not reside in Webster County.

“We reviewed all of the applications, called references, and I think and hope that we can all agree that one candidate rose to the top of the list, and that’s our current deputy recorder and interim county recorder, Courtney Balkenende,” said Conrad. “She has done exceptional work in the Recorder’s Office. She has attended Iowa State Association of County meetings. She is educated in this area and has followed former recorder Lindsay Laufersweiler in her shoes and got one heck of a training there, and has fulfilled the requirements. It makes sense to me, and I’m proud to say that I support Courtney for Webster County Recorder.”

Balkenende’s appointment is effective immediately. She will be sworn in by a Webster County judge at a later date.

Conrad also noted that Webster County voters do have the right to file a petition requiring that the vacancy be filled by a special election. That petition must be filed by Aug. 12.