Clinton will seek second term as treasurer

Jana Mathia, Gazette Reporter | Jan 25, 20180

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mark clinton

Mark Clinton

After 18-and-a-half years in public service, Mark Clinton is not ready to give it up yet.

“It’s my career duty to help the citizens of Whitman County,” he said.

Clinton announced he is seeking to retain his post as Whitman County Treasurer. Clinton was elected to the post in 2014, running un-opposed following the retirement of Bob Lothspeich. Before his election, he was the city treasurer for Colfax for 14-and-a-half years.

The treasurer’s office underwent a lot of bookkeeping changes which were still being figured out when Clinton took office.

“When I came on, there was still some learning curve going on,” he said. Everyone is finally up to date on the new system and running smoothly.

Half-way through Clinton’s first term there was an independent audit of the treasurer’s office. That audit found the office was doing an “excellent job,” Clinton recalled. He noted his office also gets along well with the Whitman County assessor’s office which is something he is told does not happen in most counties.

“We still need to do some things,” he said. During his first term, Clinton saw all the employees get training each year which had not been happening much prior to his being there. The staff of six is now more trained on coding, investments and public disclosure.

“The county treasurer’s office is really the bank for the county and junior taxing districts,” Clinton noted. He oversees the office which collects tax payments to the county and junior taxing districts, including schools, fire districts, cemetery districts and parks and recreation, and invests them in the state pool.

Clinton believes he and the staff have been doing a great job at protecting the taxpayers’ money and getting it dispersed. During his first term they worked with the state auditor and other state financial organizations for training and re-evaluating or changing certain processes and policies in the office including the investment policy and cash policy. He plans to soon put out a request for proposal for banking services which is due to be updated.

Clinton has also improved ergonomics in the office, replacing the previous desks which were from a pre-computer era and getting some standing desks.

Clinton has been a Whitman County resident for 29 years. He and his wife of 23 years have three children with the two youngest enrolled in Colfax schools.

He is an active member of Rotary, scout and cub master for Troop 595 and Pack 595, tabulator for the Colfax and Colton Distinguished Young Women for 15 years, Colfax and Community Fund board member, Whitman County Historical Society member and involved with 4H through his family.