Meet the candidates for Treasurer

DAVENPORT- Election Day is coming up Tuesday, Nov 8 and Lincoln County voters will have two choices for treasurer: Emily Lybbert Hansen and Brad Sweet. The following candidates submitted the following information and answered two identical questions to help voters get to know them better.

Emily Lybbert Hansen Bio:

Position Sought: Treasurer

Age: 53

Family: Married with 3 adult children + 5 grandchildren

Hometown: Warden

Current city of residence: Davenport

Relevant Experience: Lincoln County Deputy Treasurer, Government Accounting

Brad Sweet Bio

Office Sought: Treasurer

Age: 40

Family: Single

Hometown: Davenport

Current city of residence: Davenport

Relevant Experience: Davenport mayor, Davenport school board

What experience do you have working with taxing districts?

HANSEN: In the ten years that I have been working as a Lincoln County Deputy Treasurer, I have been responsible for monitoring fund balances of all districts, receipting incoming revenue, funding remittance requests (i.e. payroll, debt payments, etc.), executing and monitoring investment requests and balances, and monitoring all bank activity and balances. All of this has required working closely with school district business managers, all fire, park & rec, & cemetery district secretaries, and hospital district accounting staff. I am proud of the service quality that has been provided and the relationships that have been developed with each of them

SWEET: I have had 10 years on the Davenport School Board working with Levy, Bond and Tax information. During this time the school worked closely with the treasurer's office and the auditor to ensure proper steps were followed to benefit not only the taxpayers but the school district as well. I have also had almost 7 years of experience as the Mayor of Davenport working with budgets and tax information for the city and the taxpaying members of the city. I believe the experience in these 2 positions provides me with a great knowledge of taxes and taxing districts.

2. If elected, how will you assure the safekeeping of public funds?

HANSEN: The Treasurer’s prime concern is to wisely manage and safeguard public funds and if elected, that will continue to be my highest priority. The majority of office procedures and policies are dictated by state law (RCW) to ensure the safety of taxpayer dollars including -among other things- dual controls on all cash handling activities, receipting and recording. I will not only apply my knowledge of RCW but am committed to a full-time presence in the office, exceptional customer service, continued compliance with State Auditor requirements, and the highest level of integrity, reliability, and transparency.

SWEET: I think as a steward of taxpayers money within the positions I have held has given me good knowledge and experience on how to protect public funds. Following the law as well as ensuring safekeeping to avoid liability would be a top priority. I have almost 17 years in public positions and safekeeping public funds has always been a priority.