Challenger calls out Clark County clerk on pledge

Deanna Pauli-Hammond

Age: 47.

City: Vancouver.

Occupation: Financial controller (on sabbatical while running for office).

Party affiliation: Democratic.

Endorsements: State Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver; Vancouver City Councilor Jack Burkman; Vancouver City Councilor Anne McEnerny-Ogle.

Total funds raised: $15,816 raised, $15,496 spent.

Campaign website: www.deanna4countyclerk.com.

Scott Weber

Age: 42.

City: Vancouver.

Occupation: Clark County clerk.

Party affiliation: Republican.

Endorsements: State Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, Retired Superior Court Judge Edwin Poyfair, Vancouver City Councilor Bart Hansen.

Campaign funds: $11,513 raised, $8,235 spent.

Campaign website: www.weber4clerk.com.

In 2010, Scott Weber’s voter pamphlet statement included a pledge: “If elected I will work to eliminate the office which will save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. While I work to phase the office out, I will do everything I can to save taxpayer money.”

Weber went on to defeat incumbent Sherry Parker.

Four years later, as Weber seeks a second term, his challenger Deanna Pauli-Hammond asks why he didn’t follow through on his campaign promises. Not only does the office of clerk still exist — as it should, she said, since it’s constitutionally protected — but the budget for the clerk has increased.

The clerk’s duties of handling records and finances of all Superior Court matters, including felony criminal cases and certain civil lawsuits, as well as divorce, juvenile, probate and adoption cases, are described in state law.

Weber said by “eliminate the office,” he only meant he would work to change the clerk from an elected position to an appointed one. Such a change could only be made if Clark County adopted a home rule charter. Weber said he didn’t lobby freeholders this year to include the change in a proposed charter because he knew they wanted to keep the charter simple.

As for the budget increases, Weber attributed those to salary increases beyond his control and the addition of a clerk that was tied to the addition of a Superior Court commissioner.

The two-year budget has increased from $6.1 million in 2009-10 to its current amount of $6.5 million, said Bob Stevens, the county’s budget director.

Stevens said the office has 48 full-time equivalent budgeted positions and 41.7 positions are filled.

During a joint interview with The Columbian’s editorial board last month, Pauli-Hammond said her 25 years of finance and management experience give her the edge over Weber. She was able to provide the office’s budget information when Weber said he didn’t have the figures with him.

The clerk’s office, Pauli-Hammond said, is where Superior Court business begins and ends.

“It is the financial officer for the courts, and knowing your budget is extremely important,” she said.

Weber cited a timely turnaround of documents among his accomplishments. He’s been moving toward a paperless office or a “paper on demand” system where being able to view records electronically becomes the preferred method but staff members can still print records as necessary. Unlike in District Court, electronic filing isn’t mandatory in Superior Court, he said.

Documents filed in the morning are scanned and can be viewed electronically by judges that day, he said.

“I know we’ve made a difference in the way the courts operate,” he said.

He also upgraded the computers the public can use in the lobby and regularly seeks feedback from customers.

“I’ve taken any kind of feedback and we’ve actually listened to it,” Weber said.

Pauli-Hammond said there’s a morale problem in the office, which results in poor customer service. Weber said he knows not all of the employees have been happy with all of the changes he’s implemented, but said he thinks he’s doing an awesome job managing the office. He added that it’s difficult to retain employees, who earn between $15 and $22 an hour depending on seniority.

Both candidates agree more can be done to streamline the system.

The clerk earns $100,920 annually, the same salary as the county auditor, treasurer and assessor.