The auditor’s chief accountant has her sights set on a new role with the county—an elected position, at that.

On Jan. 30, San Juan Island’s Rhonda Pederson announced her candidacy for the office of San Juan County treasurer. It’s Pederson’s first-ever bid for public office and she’s excited by the prospects, and believes that she possesses the skills and experience to excel at the top of the county’s financial sphere.

“I believe my depth of experience working in the county auditors’ office as well as the amount of time I have spent working with our current treasurer, Jan Sears, and other county officials, will be a benefit to our community,” Pederson said in a press release. “If elected, I will bring all my skills and attention to detail to serving the needs of the citizens of San Juan County.”

A San Juan County resident of 20 years, Pederson has worked for the county for the past 13 years. She has worked in the public health department and department of licensing, and her assignments in the auditor’s office include chief recording deputy, junior district accountant and chief accountant for the last seven years.

“I am looking forward to my next step in serving San Juan County and am eager to meet with and discuss any concerns with all county residents over the next several months,” Pederson said.

San Juan County will have a new treasurer by this time next year. Incumbent Jan Sears, now in the final year of a second four-year term in office, is not seeking reelection. Duties of the treasurer, a non-partisan elected post, include tracking and oversight of all monies collected by the county, including those of junior taxing districts, and county financial investments; preparation of excise tax affidavits in property sales and transfers, and preparing and sending out annual property tax statements.

The treasurer supervises 2 1/2 full-time employees and receives an annual salary of $75,000, benefits included.

— Scott Rasmussen