Kimberly Kichenmaster

Full name: Kimberly Kichenmaster

Profession: Executive Assistant/Credentialing Specialist 

Educational background: **Radiant Leadership Certification and Business Courses (Kingdom Alliance Academy 2023-2025) **Holistic Nutrition and Herbal Certification- Huckleberry Health Institute 2022-2023) **Medical Staff Credentialing Courses (NAMSS - ongoing) ** Applied Health Informatics Certification - (University of Providence 2019-2020) **Computer Science Coursework (Oregon State University 1999) **Bachelor of Science in Business-Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (Oregon State University 1985-1990)

How many years as a Boundary County resident: 6 years

Marital status: Married

Family: 2 children, their spouses and 4 energetic grandchildren

Contact information: [email protected], 541-610-3081, Facebook - Kichenmaster for Clerk

1. Wise leadership means taking time to observe, learn, and understand before making changes.  

In my first 100 days, I will be hands-on across all five responsibilities of the Clerk; district court, recorder, elections, auditor, and commissioner duties. I will listen to staff and learn how each area operates day to day. 

I will review the budget and create a plan to work with departments to understand their budgetary concerns and challenges as part of the Auditors statutory responsibilities. 

2. I’ve spent time listening to the people of Boundary County, and the hot topics are  election integrity, efficient service, and transparency. 

Election integrity is foundational to our constitutional republic. People deserve confidence that ballots are secure and the process consistently follows the law. 

They also expect efficient, respectful service in every area of the Clerk’s office. County departments should not have to fight for answers, government should be responsive and accountable. 

Finally, transparency matters. People want to understand how decisions are made and trust that everything is handled openly and above board. 

3. My approach is to lead with stewardship and accountability. That means ensuring election processes are clear, secure, and Idaho law is consistently followed.  

It means supporting and cross training staff so they’re equipped to serve the public with a customer focused mindset. 

It means increasing transparency - through clear communication, openness, and ensuring information is easily accessible to the public. 

When you focus on those things, you build trust - and that’s exactly what this office is meant to do. 

4. The most critical issue in this race is public confidence.  

Public confidence is built through transparency, consistency, and service. People need to see how things work, be treated with respect when they walk in the door, and trust that their tax dollars and elections are handled with integrity.   

I would setup opportunities for public input and engage citizens in areas of high concern.   

Trust is also built when people know decisions are made with integrity, fairness, and accountability, where everyone is treated equally and the same standards apply to all. 

5. I believe what’s missing is a mindset shift. Good leadership means being willing to let go of “we’ve always done it that way” and be willing to evaluate how things are done and ask, “Is there a better way to serve people well and steward resources wisely?” 

It also means being accountable and leading with a forward-thinking approach. That’s important because our responsibility is not just to maintain systems, but to continually improve them. 

6. The Clerk’s office sits at the intersection of government and the public, giving it a unique opportunity to strengthen trust and bring people together. It serves people in sensitive areas like elections, court processes, and legal documents, where fairness and clarity matter most. How these interactions are handled really matters. 

I would prioritize excellent customer service, clear communication, and making information easily accessible so people feel informed, respected, and confident in the process.   

7. My role as clerk would not be to manage growth, but to plan and prepare so clerk services keep up with it.  

That means strong systems, well-trained staff, and making information easy to find online so people aren’t standing in line longer than they need to.  

I’d also focus on operational efficiency and strong customer focused mindset so current residents are served well while we’re ready for future ones. 

8. First, I want to clarify that setting healthcare policy and decision-making is outside the authority of the Clerk; that responsibility belongs to the County Commissioners. My role is to accurately document and publish their decisions. 

Many rural hospitals in Idaho face staffing shortages, provider recruitment challenges, financial pressure, and limited specialty services. We are fortunate to have local emergency and primary care, though some services require travel.  This is an access to care issue. 

Our hospital recently requested a levy to replace outdated IT systems and an aging boiler. This reflects planning needs for the future, not necessarily a healthcare crisis. 

9. Under Idaho Code Title 31, counties are political subdivisions of the state, meaning they only have the authority granted by state law and exist to administer those responsibilities locally. 

For the Clerk’s office, that means my role is not to set policy, but to carry out duties established in statute; such as elections administration, public records, court support, and financial documentation. 

10. How do your core beliefs guide the way you will lead, treat people and make decisions when no one is watching? 

I am a follower of Jesus, and my faith guides how I live and serve. 

I believe every person has value and deserves respect, created in the image of our Creator. I strive to treat people consistently and act with integrity in every situation—which is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.  

When I fall short, I take responsibility and make it right. Those moments become opportunities for growth and deepen my commitment to live with integrity and faithful stewardship. 

I am a servant hearted leader! 

11. People should vote for me because I will uphold the law with integrity, truly listen to community concerns, and I am not in County government, so I bring a fresh perspective to the office.  

My background provides a unique foundation to build on - leadership, administration, record keeping, board secretary, retail and hospitality management, financial accountability and customer focused service. 

My goal is to lead and operate in a way that strengthens trust in local government - focusing on accountability, transparency, and serving everyone with respect.