Benton County looks to replace auditor

PROSSER, Wash. -- Republican leaders will begin this week working to replace Bobbie Gagner as Benton County auditor.

Gagner plans to retire Dec. 31 after 23 years to help care for her ill mother.

The Benton County Republican Central Committee will begin discussing how to select replacement candidates at its regular meeting Thursday night, said Chairman Patrick McBurney.

Because Gagner is a Republican, the Republican Party will nominate several candidates to county commissioners, who will make the final selection.

The group will accept resumes until Nov. 20 and will meet most likely in early December to select three nominees to submit to the county commissioners.

Whoever commissioners select will take charge of the 23-person department responsible for managing elections, processing licenses and recording documents for the county until the end of 2010, when Gagner's elected term was set to expire.

County's deputy auditor Brenda Chilton plans to apply for the post and to campaign for election next year.

"Bobbie is very well respected here," McBurney said. "She does leave some large shoes to fill. ... I believe that Brenda can fill those shoes."

The 43-year-old West Richland resident has worked in the auditor's office for 11 years and has served as the appointed deputy since 2004. She said she has been involved with all facets of the office, including the budget.

She is also a precinct committee officer for the Benton County Republican Party.

Gagner, who endorses Chilton, said she taught her the ropes in case something like this happened.

"Since you don't know what tomorrow may bring, you always have somebody ready to take over your duties," Gagner said.

Gagner, 64, announced last week to the Benton County commissioners her plan to resign.

Gagner, a Kennewick resident, has worked in the Benton County auditor's office for 34 years and ran for election as a Democrat in 1986. She ran unopposed for every election since then, switching parties in 2002.

She is paid $93,305 per year.

She had already planned to not seek re-election next year, but said the health of her mother, who lives in Prosser, took a turn for the worse in mid-October.

"That's basically when I made my decision," she said.

Gagner said she enjoyed her role all 34 years, especially the chance to work with county residents personally at the counters of the three office locations in Richland, Kennewick and Prosser.

However, she has no plans to run for office again.

"Of course, you never say never about anything," she said.

* Ross Courtney can be reached at 509-930-8798 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.

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