Debbie Pierson: Grant writer runs for county position

What qualities and specific job skills do you have that will allow you to be an effective Clerk and Recorder?

I offer 25 years of professional experience in project administration, budget management and staff coordination with Flathead County, Montana Special Olympics, American Red Cross and United Way. I have proven project and staff development experience, success with building strong networks of volunteers, and proven leadership skills that have been tested and developed throughout my career.

I have had longevity and stability in my positions, including serving 7.5 years to date for Flathead County, 10 years for the American Red Cross, and over 4 years with Special Olympics.

The Clerk and Recorder Office has evolved significantly over the past 12 years under Paula Robinson’s leadership. It is important to continue the forward progress of this department for the citizens of Flathead County. My current work with Flathead County has given me the opportunity to establish successful working relationships with the county management team, county staff and the public we serve. 

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to recruit, hire and manage multiple staff and hundreds of volunteers. It has been my pleasure to work along side staff and the community we serve to raise programs to a level of excellence. The same would be true in my role as the Clerk and Recorder. I am known for my attention to detail, and understand the art of multi-tasking, which are particularly attractive attributes for the Clerk and Recorder.

It is important for the public to understand that the Clerk and Recorder position manages 16 staff with a $2.4 million annual budget. The departments under the Clerk and Recorder include Plat/Surveyor Department, the Elections Department, the Historic Preservation Office and the Clerk and Recorder Office, which also provides the clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. The Clerk and Recorder serves as the auditor, monitoring financial transactions for Flathead County's $81 million budget. 

What changes, if any, would you make in how the Clerk and Recorder's Office is run?

I feel confident in the progressive updates Paula Robinson has made over the last 12 years to develop the Clerk and Recorder office into one of the best in the state of Montana. There are, however, always areas that can be improved. My suggestions for prioritized improvements include:

• Evaluate the election process for efficiency and develop additional procedures to continue fair and accurate elections.

• Evaluate staffing levels and work loads to ensure proper allocation of taxpayer resources.

• Continue digitization and accessibility of all records, helping departments electronically preserve files.

• Enhance tracking and management systems for records retention and destruction according to statuary requirements.

• Create an interactive website that is user-friendly and easily accessible.

Why do you want to be Clerk and Recorder?

With Paula Robinson retiring, I feel it is critical to get a qualified, capable person to take over the helm of the Clerk and Recorder Office. It is important to find someone with the ability to carry forward the quality work that has been accomplished, particularly with program changes over the last 12 years.  

I value this community, which has been my home for over 36 years. I am at a position in life where I can commit the time and effort it will take to successfully serve my community as the next Flathead County Clerk and Recorder. To date, I have worked a part-time schedule for Flathead County, which will give me a unique opportunity to invest my own time into training alongside Paula Robinson prior to her retirement. I will be prepared to “hit the ground running” in a full-time capacity in January of 2014, serving as the next Flathead County Clerk and Recorder.