Commissioners find their piece of finance puzzle

Half of Whitman County’s newly-constituted finance department was solidified Monday when commissioners announced the hiring of their new administrative director.

The commissioners hired Gary Petrovich, CPA and former chief financial officer and vice president for King Distributors in Spokane, to oversee the county’s finances under their direction.

Commissioners made a point of announcing the Petrovich hire during their regular meeting Monday.

Commissioner Pat O’Neill said he looks forward to having Petrovich on board to help the county “get things in order” with its financial records and to help transition to the New World accounting software.

Commissioner Greg Partch noted Petrovich is walking into a wide array of duties.

Commissioner Michael Largent made a point not to comment.

The administrative director position was born out of the June dissolution of the former finance department. Noting state code puts financial statements and budget preparation under the auditor’s control, Auditor Eunice Coker took those duties from commissioners in July.

In restructuring the finance department, commissioners decided to give Coker the authority to hire a finance director while creating an administrative director position that answers to them.

Coker is still in the process of hiring her director.

Petrovich was selected from 13 applicants. Five candidates were interviewed by a committee of county officials for the post.

Advertising on the internet and in publications throughout the Pacific Northwest, county officials cast a net to attract candidates for the position.

The interview committee consisted of the three commissioners; Treasurer Robert Lothspeich; Esther Wilson, who has acted as the finance department since June, and Evon Jones, financial manager for the public works department.

Lothspeich said the committee was excited to hire a CPA, though he noted Petrovich has no specific background in government accounting.