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	"Our county treasurer just resigned. We need more time to conduct interviews and find his replacement. Can we appoint an interim treasurer to temporarily fill the vacancy?"

Can a county appoint an interim or temporary officer to fill a vacancy?

In the event of a vacancy, an appointing entity may not appoint an “interim” or “temporary” officer, absent express statutory authority. However, the first assistant or chief deputy of a public office in which a physical vacancy occurs shall conduct the affairs of the office until a successor qualifies for the office. Texas Government Code §601.002. For more information, see our publication Pitfalls and Perils: Vacancies.