The County Auditor is the chief accountant for Spokane County. It's not a ceremonial title. It's a hands-on financial management role that oversees payroll for every county employee, processes every vendor payment, and produces the county's annual financial report in compliance with federal and state standards.

This job requires someone who has actually done this work. I hold a degree in accounting, I'm a federally licensed Enrolled Agent authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and I've spent my career in financial management, from corporate controllership to running my own tax practice here in Spokane. When you're managing a county budget that approaches a billion dollars, there's no substitute for professional credentials and real-world experience.

Spokane County just navigated a projected $20 million budget gap. Commissioners directed departments to find 7% expense reductions and eliminate vacant positions. The state legislature passed the largest tax increase in Washington history. Sales tax hikes from the city and valley are flowing downstream. Property valuations are landing in 214,000 mailboxes.

In that environment, taxpayers deserve more than a financial report filed once a year that only accountants can decipher. They deserve to see where their money goes: clearly, accessibly, and in real time.

The County Auditor is the chief elections officer for Spokane County. That means administering primaries and general elections, maintaining voter rolls, providing ballot access, and ensuring every eligible vote is counted accurately. Trust in that process matters. Not as a partisan issue, but as a basic expectation of self-governance.

I believe voters should be able to see how their elections are run. Open processes. Clear reporting of results. Meaningful public observation. Accessible voting options that meet people where they are. When the process is transparent, trust follows naturally.

Beyond finances and elections, the Auditor's Office handles the services that residents interact with most often: recording property documents, processing marriage licenses, and motor vehicle licensing. These are the everyday touchpoints between county government and the people it serves.

Right now, the Financial Services division of the Auditor's Office is closed to in-person service. Response times are slower by phone than by email. Recording requirements can be confusing for residents filing their own documents. There's room to do better. Not by spending more money, but by working smarter with the tools and people we already have.

The Auditor's Office provides independent review of every invoice presented for payment by county departments. It's the last line of defense before public dollars go out the door. That function requires someone who knows what to look for, and who has proven they'll say something when the numbers don't add up.

I've been that person. In 2018, I walked away from a six-figure salary as a corporate CFO to file federal whistleblower complaints with the SEC and CFTC after uncovering systematic fraud that was draining retirees' savings. My work has since helped recover tens of millions of dollars for victims and has been featured in national media, including Tucker Carlson Network's documentary The Great Gold Scam.

Vicky Dalton has led the Auditor's Office for nearly three decades. A transition of this magnitude needs to be handled with professionalism and care, not treated as a political stepping stone. The staff in that office do critical work every day, and they deserve a leader who respects what's been built while bringing fresh perspective and deeper financial expertise to the role.