Republican announces intent to retain position he has held since 1999
VANCOUVER — Clark County’s auditor since 1999 is seeking a new term.
Greg Kimsey, a Republican, announced his intentions to pursue re-election in a press release Sunday. If successful, Kimsey will begin his sixth term in the office next year.
In making his announcement, he thanked his supporters for financial contributions and endorsements.
“Kimsey believes that as the county auditor his most important responsibility is to work to improve citizens’ confidence in their government,” the press release reads. “Every interaction a citizen has with government is an opportunity to improve that person’s confidence in their government. The Auditor’s Office has more direct interactions with citizens than any other county government office. If re-elected Greg is committed to ensuring that the Auditor’s Office continues to provide excellent service to citizens.”
Kimsey’s campaign noted that while the county’s population has increased by 40 percent since 1999 and the size of the county’s overall staff has grown by 12 percent, his own office has seen a decrease in staffing of 14 percent over that time.
The auditor’s office has 43 employees and an annual budget of $6.2 million.
In the press release, Kimsey said the most recent legislative session resulted in “the most significant changes to Washington’s elections system since 1993.” Those include voters being allowed to register on election day and receive a ballot at the same time by 2019, certain groups of citizens being automatically registered to vote, and pre-registration for 16-year-old citizens. Kimsey also says he is working with the Secretary of State’s Office to replace the state’s voter registration system while, in the next few years, replacing Clark County’s ballot creation and tabulation system.
The auditor’s office is also currently working on a three-year, $6 million project to replace the county’s financial management system.
His campaign announcement noted that Kimsey has been honored in the past as the Secretary of State’s County Auditor of the Year.
“During each of the last four years the Auditor’s Office has received the highest awards given by its national peers for its performance audits,” the announcement said. “The Auditor’s Office has maintained its long history of national recognition for the quality of the county’s annual financial report.”
The county auditor acts as the county’s primary financial officer and elections manager, in addition to other duties. The county auditor makes $9,542 a month for an annual salary of $114,504, according to the Clark County website.
Kimsey was born and raised in Vancouver and currently resides in Hazel Dell with his wife, Gayle. They have two daughters. He graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and from Portland State University with a master’s degree in business administration.
Learn more about Kimsey at www.GregKimsey.com. Learn more about the auditor’s office at www.clark.wa.gov/auditor.
