After 35 years in the Johnson County Auditor’s Office, Auditor Tom Slockett will not return after next month.

In his place will be Travis Weipert, a former Tiffin City Councilor who resigned in August, and believes he can come into the auditor’s position with fresh ideas and a new perspective.

“I’m excited to go in with an open mind,” Weipert said. “I can’t wait to sit down with all the staff members and figure out what we can do to better provide for the environment.”

He will follow in the footsteps of Slockett, whom Weipert defeated in a June primary.

Slockett said he thought Weipert was cordial while campaigning.

“He comported himself well during campaigning and since then,” Slockett said. “I am looking forward to getting to know him.”

Weipert ran unopposed, although he said this did not necessarily inhibit his campaigning.

“Up until the last day [of voting], anyone could run against us,” he said. “We’ve made a couple hundred phone calls, had a couple hundred meetings.”

Weipert is entering the Auditor’s Office after a controversy over unauthorized spending involving Slockett was revealed Oct. 18.

Slockett had previously told The Daily Iowan he believes he was justified with his spending.

“It never occurred to me to follow their lead to intentionally fail to provide the necessary services to meet the need of the Johnson County voters to exercise their right to vote,” he wrotein an email.

“They clearly take the voters of Johnson County for granted, but I will not.”

Slockett did not touch on the spending when speaking to the DI Tuesday night but reflected on his time in office.

“I’ve done my best; I wish I could’ve done better,” he said.

Weipert did not comment on the controversy with Slockett and instead believed the main difference between the two candidates is his fresh perspective.

“I’m the younger guy; I’m the fresh choice,” he said. “I work with the young accountants from college, and they say ,’I want to vote, but I’m scared.’ I want to fix that.”