POST FALLS - Kootenai County Clerk Jim Brannon told the Panhandle Pachyderm Club on Friday that in nine days on the job, there have already been some refreshing surprises.

"It's a lot easier to shoot from outside than from inside," Brannon said.

He shared some glowing praise for his new co-workers, who have been helping him get up to speed after he was appointed on Dec. 20 to the post by the county commissioners.

"Everybody at Kootenai County that I have had encounters with, from the commissioners on down to everyone who works there, they know you're their clients," Brannon told the club. "They want to provide exemplary service, (and) they want to do it in a cost-effective manner and so we pay less taxes."

He has had a lot to learn about his new responsibilities, he told 25 members of the club, which met at Red Lion Templin's Hotel.

As county clerk, he's the chief elections officer, auditor, recorder and clerk for the county commissioners and district court.

He said county employees are efficient, and do the best they can to serve all the county's residents.

He had specific praise for his deputy clerk, Pat Raffee, and county elections manager Carrie Phillips.

"If you ever get a chance to meet (Phillips), thank her," Brannon said. "She has got things in such great order, (and) she is so well-thought-out."

In the job, which is not a policy position, he said his guiding documents will be the U.S. Declaration of Independence, federal and state constitutions, and the Bible.

"Those are the things that will guide me in my office," Brannon said.

He also promised to continue the work of the man he replaced, the late Cliff Hayes.

"Cliff was fair, Cliff was honest, and he followed the law," Brannon said.