Shoona Riggs

I’m Shoona Riggs, candidate for the position of Clallam County Auditor. I’m 41 years old, married to Ron Riggs, and we have four children, ages 12 to 23.

I have served in the Clallam County Auditor’s Office for 18 years. Before that, I worked for six years in the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office. I am both the Chief Deputy Auditor and for the past eight years, the County Elections Supervisor. Accountability is paramount in elections. Over the last 14 years, I have earned respect from the “elections community” for conducting accurate, fair, and transparent elections.

The Auditor’s Office is the busiest in the Courthouse, by a wide margin. Why? Because we’re responsible for so many important functions: Vehicle/Vessel registration, Voter Registration and Elections, Land Recordings, Passports, Marriage Licenses, Accounts Payable and Payroll.  Because of my cross-training over the years, I have filled almost every single post. I’ve done them, and I’ve done them well! I know the Auditor’s Office inside-out-and-backwards.

At the end of December, Patty Rosand will retire. She has administered the office beautifully for 8 years, making appropriate adjustments, keeping abreast of technology, overseeing necessary legal changes mandated by the legislature. I’ve been right there, alongside her, all that time. Patty wants me to win. She knows that I’ll faithfully continue carrying out the duties of that office. Patty has enthusiastically endorsed my candidacy. She knows I can run that shop.

At a recent forum someone asked my opponent and me to spell out the main difference between us. After hearing my opponent’s response, I knew immediately what it is:  It’s our differing philosophy on how to manage a high-stress office such as the Auditor’s.

Currently, when our office staff is inundated with customers and the stress level is at fever pitch, we know that Patty Rosand will leave her desk, come to the counter, and help us reduce the workload. We know that, and believe me, we often need her help. If she couldn’t do that, staff would absorb even more stress.

I will continue that tradition. I know every job at that counter, and I will be there. Sure, I will be the manager. I will supervise. I will be the boss. But I will be a “working leader” when hands-on expertise is required. I will choose to take part in the team rather than stay aside. With my experience and knowledge of most of the jobs in the office, I will be able to lead and motivate by example.

Soon, because of retirements, a major restructuring of the Auditor’s Office will be necessary. Knowing the employees and their skill levels as well as I do, I feel I’m the most qualified person to do the reorganizing. I will be the common ground, the mainstay. And I can start on Day One. To use the old cliché, I can “hit the ground running.”

I would appreciate your vote in the General Election on November 4.

Kim Yacklin

I am 50 years old and was born and raised in Washington State. I have lived in Clallam County for 28 years. I have been married for almost 27 years and have two beautiful children – Blake, 22, and Brianna, 12. I volunteer for the Clallam County Special Olympics (Orcas), our employee United Way Fundraising Drive, and at my daughter’s school. We love our community and feel very fortunate to raise our family in such a beautiful and pristine part of the state.

I have been employed at the county for almost 27 years. I have worked in the Personnel/Risk Management Department, the Public Health Department, and currently in the Department of Health & Human Services. Prior to working at the county I was employed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Employment Security Department.

With over 30 years of public service, 24 of those in management, I have extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations; policies and procedures; managing staff; managing administrative and financial systems; budgeting; grant management; payroll; accounts payable and receivables; and many other responsibilities. I am an effective leader and excellent communicator.

My vision for the Auditor’s Office includes transparency, accountability, and excellent customer service. I am the candidate that has new ideas and a fresh set of goals to create positive changes in the current office. My immediate goals include showing the taxpayer where your money is spent by putting a link on the county website that shows all monthly expenditures by each county department.

In addition I want to improve professional relations with community stakeholders and Department of Licensing subagents so that we can keep these services in Sequim and Forks. I also want to improve our voter turnout rates by being proactive in providing voter outreach and education throughout the county. Long term I want to implement a quality improvement process so that we are always seeking ways to cut costs and improve our services.

My experience in personnel and labor relations is important in managing staff – the county’s Risk Pool (Insurance) reports that one of the highest payouts in claims from the county is due to the lack of supervisory experience and knowledge, which results in the mishandling of employee actions. That’s why retired Human Resources Director, Marge Upham, is supporting my candidacy – she understands what it takes to manage a department and knows I am the most qualified candidate. Retired Auditor, Ken Foster, is also endorsing me because he knows that I have the required financial management experience that is critical for this job.

Let’s make changes in the Auditor’s Office that support transparency, accountability, and excellent customer service. I want the public to know they are being represented with their best interests in mind. I know I can make a difference. I would be honored to receive your vote when you receive your ballot. Kim Yacklin for Clallam County Auditor.