Dalton For Auditor

Fri., Sept. 4, 1998

By Rebecca Nappi rebeccan@spokesman.com (509) 459-5496

For 16 years, Spokane County Auditor Bill Donahue did his job, quietly and proficiently. Thanks to his leadership, the office ran smoothly. County residents got motor vehicle and marriage licenses, obtained important records, registered to vote and received absentee ballots without much hassle.

Donahue is retiring; four candidates hope to take his place. Republican Matt McCoy, a business development officer for United Parcel Service, faces no opposition in the primary, and we’ll analyze his credentials later this fall.

But for purposes of the primary, we endorse Vicki Dalton as the most qualified of the three Democratic contenders. This 37-year-old certified public accountant already works as the county’s internal auditor. Her 10 years of experience there followed six years in the private sector. Overseeing the county’s finances is the most important part of the auditor’s job, and as internal auditor, Dalton uncovered expensive county cell phone use and sloppy cash handling at the Spokane Interstate Fair. Her work led to policy reforms and cost savings in both areas.

Dalton envisions a larger financial watchdog role for the office, where 53 people work in five departments. She hopes to establish performance measures so county offices can determine how well they are meeting their mission and goals. She also hopes to improve customer service.

Her personal goal is to build on the solid foundation Donahue leaves behind. Among the three Democrats, she is by far the most qualified to do just that.

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