Candidate profie: Rhonda Bookout

•Republican Rhonda Bookout faces Democrat Rachel Toney in the Curry County treasurer’s race. Current treasurer Linda Hall is retiring at the end of the year.

Name: Rhonda Bookout

Occupation: Clerical worker

Political party affiliation: Republican

Birth date: March 4, 1953

Hometown: Clovis

Family: Married to Lance Bookout for 16 years; one daughter, Sarah; one son-in-law, Garrett Goodson

Hobbies: Barrel racing, reading

• Tell us about your background and qualifications for this job:

I was raised in an agricultural family. I worked at Clovis Veterinary Hospital for 20 years, keeping books for the veterinary hospital and Clovis Veterinary Supply. I worked nine years in the bureau of elections in the county clerk’s office. I have belonged to several barrel racing associations, holding offices in each association. I was a 4-H leader for several years. My experience in working with and for the public is beneficial for the treasurer’s position.

•What’s working well now in the treasurer’s office?

I don’t know. What I hear from the voters is what is not working in the treasurer’s office.

•What’s not working so well?

The office is not open during the lunch hour for taxpayers’ convenience. The treasurer’s office is not complying with government regulations concerning the accounting system. There seems to be an extreme turnover of employees in the last few months in the treasurer’s office. This costs the taxpayers money for each new employee’s physical and drug test.

•You’ve had 20 years experience as a bookkeeper in the private sector. Would this be a seamless transition for you?

I think the transition will be challenging in that I will have a lot to learn. I have made arrangements to work with the contracted data processer to learn the computer system and the Governmental Accounting System Bureau (GASB) 34 system prior to Jan. 1 when I would take office.

•You’ve said repeatedly the treasurer’s office needs to be operated more efficiently. You’ve proposed an updated accounting system and announced plans to keep the office open during the noon hour all year if you’re elected. Won’t your ideas cost the taxpayers more money? If so, how much and how do you plan to pay for them?

If the employees, including myself, rotate lunch hours the office can stay open. If we are short-handed, I will forego my lunch hour to accomodate the taxpayers. The county clerk’s office and the county assessor’s office stay open during the lunch hour by rotating employees and they don’t always have a full staff. This won’t cost the taxpayers any more money and I see no need for more employees. As for the GASB 34, the software is what the county is now using. It is my understanding the treasurer’s office has access to the system, but chooses not to use it. The GASB programs are installed and ready.

•A credit card company contends you have failed or refused to pay thousands of dollars owed to the company. Is this a misunderstanding? A dispute over charges? An inability to pay? Will you tell the taxpayers what this is about? And does it reflect on your ability to operate the county treasurer’s office?

We’re confident that people will see these unfortunate and politically motivated attacks for what they are, but yes I have a dispute with a credit card company and in no way will it reflect on my ability to operate the county treasurer’s office.