Lots of changes are happening in Washington’s County Auditor community. These are the elected officials who are on the frontlines of conducting Washington’s elections and handling a variety of other programs, from animal control and recording and preserving documents to issuing marriage licenses and car tabs. They work closely with the Secretary of State’s Office.

State Elections Director Nick Handy reports in with some of the transitions:

• Pierce County:  Julie Anderson has been sworn in, succeeding appointed Auditor Jan Shabro, after winning the election last month. Anderson has been deputy mayor and council member for Tacoma, and has a strong background in state government executive service and civic engagement.
• Chelan and King: Skip Moore has been appointed Chelan County Auditor. The longtime elections expert was previously the chief deputy and a Cashmere councilman. He succeeds Auditor Evelyn Arnold. Evelyn, in turn, has moved over the mountains to become the new Superintendent of Elections in King County, working for Elections Director Sherril Huff, who used to be Auditor for Kitsap County.
• Benton: Brenda Chilton has just been appointed County Auditor, effective Jan. 1. She has been chief deputy auditor, and will succeed Bobbie Gagner, who is retiring. Says Handy, “Bobbie has provided exemplary service and we all wish Bobbie a retirement that is every bit as rich and rewarding as her public service career.”
• Skamania: Mike Garvison resigned his post as County Auditor last month and no successor has been chosen yet. Garvison is moving to Oregon City to take a job with Clackamas County Soil and Watser Conservation District. Heidi Penner is chief deputy auditor.