Petersen takes over as Mills County Auditor

The Mills County Auditor’s Office has its new leader.

But she’s no new face to the department or the county.

Ami Petersen, who has worked in the office for a year, has called Glenwood home for three decades. She officially took over for out-going, longtime auditor Carol Robertson on Aug. 1. Robertson announced in July she was retiring after serving in the county auditor position for nearly 24 years.

Petersen was Robertson’s handpicked successor. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved of her hiring.

“I was honored and excited about the opportunity,” Petersen said of being tabbed by Robertson.

Petersen has worked in the auditor’s office since May of 2022. She came to the position after owning her own business and taking some time off during the pandemic. All four of her children either graduated for Glenwood or are currently in enrolled.

“She (Robertson) had it in her mind what she wanted to do a year or so ago and then she put the job out there and worked with a few of us to see who would be the better fit for her and this is the direction she went,” Petersen said. “It’s huge and it means a lot to me she chose me.”

She admits the job is a complex one. The auditor performs a variety of duties, including but not limited to financial, election, clerk, and licensing and permitting responsibilities.

Petersen isn’t daunted. She shadowed Robertson for nearly a year to learn the ropes.

“There’s a lot to do and I want to make sure I’m doing it right and not incorrectly. There’s a lot of people around to help and make sure that happens. I have a great team of support here, which doesn’t make it as daunting as it could be and also having run my own business and my husband having his own business, I’m used to juggling everything. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

While the calculating and application of county taxes is closely aligned with auditor duties, Petersen said the job is more than “numbers.” After all, she lives in Mills County too.

“There’s definitely a lot of different aspects,” she said. “I do enjoy that part with the budget but it does take time. Honestly, the first thing I said working with Carol who I knew working with her over the years on different things, was the aspect of being closer to my family. Staying in Glenwood was a huge draw.”

As part of her appointment to the position, Petersen will have to run for her seat in the November 2024 cycle. She indicated she would be running again.

Petersen becomes just the county’s third auditor in the last 30-plus years. That’s a legacy not lost on her.

“It’s really appealing and its also one of those things where I want to make sure I am doing everything right and keep that streak going.”

It’s also comforting to know Robertson is just a phone call way

“As soon as she is through with her IPERS and everything, she’ll be around,” she said. “I love what I’m doing. So far so good.”