MOSES LAKE - The process to find and appoint a new Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District director could start as early as next week.

Grant County commissioners are responsible for filling the open seat on the board, left vacant by former MLIRD director Mick Hansen.

Hansen, who served on the board since January 2012, resigned from his position earlier this month. He cited disagreements with the board over paid assessments and interpretation of the election law. His term would have been up this December.

County Commissioner Richard Stevens said they will work on finding a new director as soon as MLIRD officially informs them of a vacancy that needs to be filled. So far, commissioners have not received official word from the district, he said.

"Normally, the irrigation district would let us know they have a vacancy they need to have filled, then we would advertise for people that are interested," Stevens explained. "When we get people that are interested, then we'll do some interviews, we wouldn't blindly appoint somebody."

The process can't technically start until MLIRD officials let them know about the vacancy, he said.

MLIRD board vice-chair Bill Bailey said the district plans on officially informing county commissioners of the vacancy as soon as possible.

"What has to happen is we need to write them a letter so they have a paper in hand saying there is a vacancy," he said. "Then they take over from there."

Bailey said commissioners should have that letter next Monday.