BONNERS FERRY — Pam Barton, who currently serves as Boundary County’s chief deputy clerk, said she decided to run for county clerk after significant soul-searching. 

“The clerk wears so many hats and each hat is as important as the next,” Barton said. “There is so much information that you need to know for each one. I have worked side-by-side the current clerk and understand many aspects of each of those hats.” 

Barton, who has worked for Boundary County for 13 years, said each division of the clerk position carries legal and financial consequences if handled incorrectly, citing court records, elections, audits and grant compliance as examples.  

In addition to serving as chief deputy clerk, Barton also works as personnel director, overseeing approximately 160 county employees under the Boundary County commissioners. 

Asked what experience or skills prepared her for the role, Barton said she has held several administrative positions.  

Barton worked as an executive assistant manager in Alaska, where she lived for 10 years. After moving back to Bonners Ferry and establishing a logging company, she began working for Neumayer Cedar Mill as office manager, where she worked for seven years. She later became the administrative assistant for the Restorium in 2013.  

“I joined the clerk’s office in 2019 as revenue clerk,” Barton said. “In that position, I became proficient in accounts receivable, processing court revenues, and property tax disbursements.”   

Barton said she has two main goals if elected. 

“My top priority if elected is to focus on becoming more proficient with the rules and regulations of the clerk’s many duties, including county, state and federal rules and regulations,” Barton said. “My second priority is to further cross-train employees to provide the best services to the community.” 

Barton said there are four additional things she wants to improve in the county. 

“One thing as clerk that I would like to focus on is emergency planning for our department and the courthouse,” Barton said. “For example, we recently had a power outage and court could not be canceled. I would like to seek grants which may provide a backup generator for our new justice center and courthouse.” 

She also said she wants to look at a second polling site for the Moyie Springs precinct, citing growth in that area. Her other two goals are finishing the processing of old recordings into the current software system and improving the new county website.

“I would like a fillable PDF application for those seeking employment to streamline that process,” Barton said. “I would also like a portal for current employees to review personnel updates and the ability to access payroll change forms as needed.” 

Barton also wants to continue to ensure accurate and transparent elections, citing experience in her current position.  

“I have participated in several primary and general elections, including two presidential elections, which involve the highest voter turnout and the greatest level of accountability,” Barton said. “I have attended several budget and levy conferences with the state and several election trainings with the Secretary of State’s office.” 

Barton said she is a longtime Boundary County resident and understands the needs and wishes of the community. 

She has served as a board member for the local Rotary Club and is a member of the Paradise Valley Grange, Friends of the Restorium and Women of Timber. 

She has been married for 42 years and raised five children. 

“I like to garden, farm, raise livestock, pick huckleberries, camp, fish and travel,” Barton said. “My husband and I manage our own successful business and maintain financial integrity and accountability both personally and with our business. I believe this is an imperative requirement for the clerk’s position.” 

“If you are looking for consistency, reliability and integrity as well as a love for our community, I feel that my record stands firm.” 

Barton is running against Kimberly Kichenmaster and Stacie Watts in the Republican primary election May 19.