This is part of a series of Q&As with candidates for local office in the Nov. 4 general election. This Q&A: Kelly Emerson and Dolores Gilmore, candidates for Kitsap County auditor.
The Kitsap County auditor serves a four-year term and receives $112,211 a year and benefits accorded to other county employees.
KELLY EMERSON
Residence: South Illahee/East Bremerton
Occupation: Former Island County Commission member; industrial electrical construction project manager
Education: Junior college accounting and general studies, master electrician’s license, IBEW apprenticeship
Experience: 15+ years managing multi-million dollar budgets in both the private and public sectors, business bookkeeping, election canvassing boards, ballot measure committees.
Q: What are the top issues in this campaign?
Emerson: The top issue in this campaign is electing the best person to fill the vacant position which oversees finances in all county departments, including the special purpose districts. The auditor must keep a keen eye on cash flow, be well aware of grant reporting and fund reconciliation timelines. As well as providing vitally important recording services for the public, licensing as required by law and managing an elections system.
Counties have recognized increases in expenses outpacing increases in revenues, and Kitsap County has not escaped this trend. My office would work closely with the Administrative Services Department to provide our commissioners with the best information possible when making costly decisions on our behalf.
Keeping the recording division open for business 5 days a week without the need to expand the Auditor’s budget is paramount. Fast, accurate election results are a must.
Q: What are your priorities if elected?
Emerson: I’m hearing from the people they would like to see some protocols in elections and better transparency with financials. Both political parties should feel equally involved in the complete voting process and the citizens have a right to know how their money is being spent. I will certainly make both of these matters high priority.
From my time as an elected county commissioner, I know that there is a need to keep the conversation going about likely upcoming departmental cash flow concerns. Working on solutions to address these areas before they become a problem is the attitude I want to bring to the office. Also, the need for data to back up local efforts at legislative changes that can reduce the cost of doing business. These matters would also be high on my list of priorities.
Q: How would you accomplish those priorities?
Emerson: I would have community meetings and outreach with the political parties when working on election protocols and discernable financials.
At the office, I will continue on the good works of Mr. Walt Washington and present realistic outlooks of financial viability seeking direction from the commissioners on areas of priority for cost/benefit information. I will also work closely with our administrative services in developing criteria to consider in the analysis. Cost assessments of mandated services, which can aid local efforts for legislative changes, will be a regular activity.
Q: Regarding bipartisanship: Provide some examples of how you’ve worked cooperatively with someone of another political party to reach consensus or accomplish a goal.
Emerson: As a county commissioner, I served on a number of boards that worked closely with our state and federal officials for legislative and funding changes to benefit local governments. My most frequent partner for those efforts was a Democrat commissioner from Skagit County. Together, we would visit nearly every Washington representative’s office with our time in D.C. We would start by determining the points where we had clear agreement. Then we could each speak passionately on the subject matter which more closely aligned with our independent principles, backing each other up in all cases. Sen. Patty Murray was so impressed with my approach at these matters that she nominated me to represent our state at a summit on county matters in Washington, D.C.
Q: What experience do you have that makes you most qualified for the position you seek?
Emerson: My executive level experience in both the public and private sectors has had me managing multi-million dollar budgets and sometimes hundreds of employees for 15 years now. Having studied accounting in college, I handled the bookkeeping for our personal businesses.
As a commissioner, I once questioned the propriety of an expense from a particular dedicated fund. There can be a lot of regulations on how state money can be spent locally so these things can happen occasionally. The incident did turn up as a finding in a later state audit. Because I had recognized the need for some protocols we were out in front on this situation.
Another time I sought to prioritize an increase in a department’s budget because I didn’t feel it was being funding adequately. The State Auditor’s report later that year confirmed my view.
In elections, I have worked on a number of measures in preparation for ballots. Some with my colleagues, some on committees and some on my own. I repeatedly asked for citizen advisory votes when it was economically feasible. Although the district I served sprawled two islands with two separate counties in between, I held regularly scheduled community meetings in both locations and would love the opportunity to do the same with my neighbors in Kitsap.
The grief I felt when I announced last December that due to relocation I would not be seeking re-election, convinced me of my longing to continue to serve the public. I have, already in place, the executive-level skills to make the very most of this office.
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DOLORES GILMORE
Residence: Port Orchard
Occupation: Kitsap County Elections manager
Education: Cascade Executive Programs/Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington; Auburn University, certified national elections administrator
Relevant experience: My 30 years’ experience working in all four divisions of the Auditor’s Office includes preparation and administration of annual budgets for the records and elections divisions. I have applied for and received over $500,000 in federal grants to improve services. As elections administrator for the past 20 years, I have conducted over 80 successful elections in Kitsap County.
Q: What are the top issues in this campaign?
Gilmore: Protect the security and integrity of our elections. Ensure accountability in financial services when performing county auditing and reporting functions. Improve the handling of public records and streamline licensing transactions. Continue to provide excellent service delivery to the public.
Q: What are your priorities if elected?
Gilmore: Security, integrity and accessibility of our elections; accountability in auditing and reporting county finances; improve the handling of public records and continue to bring 5-star service to the people of Kitsap County.
Q: How would you accomplish those priorities?
Gilmore: Under my leadership, Kitsap County has a history of conducting elections with the utmost integrity. I have earned the public’s trust with over 20 successful recounts. I will:
— Continue to work with our legislators and community stakeholders to make voting accessible. Kitsap’s award-winning services to our military and overseas voters and voters with disabilities demonstrates my commitment to the citizens of this county to protect the integrity, security and accessibility of our elections.
— Implement LEAN processes that will streamline how transactions are completed.
— Continue to audit and report fiscal and county finances to the public accurately and with transparency.
— Provide alternative and user-friendly options for the services the Auditor’s Office provides.
Q: Regarding bipartisanship: Provide some examples of how you’ve worked cooperatively with someone of another political party to reach consensus or accomplish a goal.
Gilmore: In my current job, I work with both political parties during elections. I request party chairs to provide observers and party representatives to work at voting centers. I work closely with party representatives and respond to any concerns they may have regarding the elections process, during candidate filing or when recounts are required.
In addition, I work closely with Democratic and Republican Party chairs during the redistricting process after each census. I provide process overviews during public meetings, listen to suggestions and keep stakeholders informed until district and precinct changes are finalized.
Q: What experience do you have that makes you most qualified for the position you seek?
Gilmore: I have worked in the Auditor’s Office for the past 30 years, 20 years in the Elections Division. I am familiar with the laws and responsibilities of the Auditor’s Office. I have worked in each of the four divisions and understand how the Auditor’s Office interacts with various local, state and federal agencies.
I am certified nationally, and in the State of Washington, as a professional elections administrator. My ability to collaborate with people and other agencies to achieve administrative improvements is one of the reasons I have been endorsed by several Kitsap County elected officials and auditors across the state.
