The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dear Editor,

I am endorsing Mark Spinks for the position of Walla Walla County Auditor. He is the right person for the job. Mark is a graduate of Texas State University with a degree in Business Management. His background is in information technology and banking. He is currently the Walla Walla County Public Records Officer.

Mark's platform includes the following:

- He would propose adding two to four individuals to the current budget committee to provide sector expertise.

- He would implement, through the Auditor's Office, a comprehensive & continual review of departmental budgets.

- He would propose that the County implement a multi-year budget planning process. The multi-year budget would establish department head's priorities and would enable them to find available funding for those priorities.

- He would increase efficiency and improve customer service in the Auditor's Office.

- He would ask that his salary be frozen after the first year in office and either refuse or refund the 1.75% annual increase enacted by the Commissioners.

He also proposes an incentive process for department heads to encourage them to return funds at the end of the year and allowing those funds to remain in the department's following year's budget without penalty. Mark's strong background in information technology will allow him to review and recommend software systems which would increase efficiency such as an upgrade to the payroll system currently in use and network computers together so office processes could be accessed from any computer in the department. This would eliminate long lines and long waits for license tabs, for instance.

I have known Mark to be an honest, intelligent, and hardworking individual. Speaking as a former Walla Walla County Department head, I urge your vote for Mark Spinks in the August 5 Primary Election and in the November 4General Election. Let's put someone in the job who thinks creatively outside the County box with new ideas and new efficiencies for the Walla Walla County Auditor's Office.

Bill Vollendorff

Walla Walla