Pam Barton

Full name: Pam Barton 

Profession: Boundary County Chief Deputy Clerk 

Educational background: High school diploma; passport agent training, State of Idaho Budget and Levy training, Idaho state election training, Idaho Supreme Court revenue courses, Peachtree and Quick books accounting, Excel courses, Management courses, POS (point of sales) software training, personnel courses, County specific software training, Empower financial services training, Idaho association of Counties courses, Mandt training (supportive restraint), Medicaid courses, CNA certified, Med certified, Office safety course, Software safety courses and numerous other business trainings. 

How many years as a Boundary County resident: 44-plus years

Marital status: Married 42 years 

Family: 5 children and 15 grandchildren most living locally

1. If elected in the primary, I will begin preparing immediately for a smooth transition. I will choose my chief deputy, train for my roles as Personnel Director and Payroll Clerk. I will meet with Court Deputies to assess needs for the new Justice Center. Another priority will be improving the flow at the Auditor counter to reduce bottlenecks. I would like to prioritize record indexing and relocate the public record software for better public access. Additionally, before the first 100 days, I will review Idaho code and federal requirements to be ready to serve my community the best way possible and as soon as possible.

2. A. If a person is elected who is not well trained & familiar with current laws and systems & how to comply with those processes, our community may suffer. I have witnessed it with other counties. The amount of knowledge you must have on day one is astronomical. It takes years to become proficient with the various duties.

B. I am hearing from our community since I decided to run for office that people have shown concerns about local election processes because of national issues.

C. My third concern is the budget. Counties must adhere to strict rules for certain expenses in their budgets. Due to inflation the costs can rise faster than the revenue.

3. A. The answer to question 1 is the very reason I am running for office. My many years with the county gives me a good understanding of the duties and processes to keep our county running smoothly.

B. We must educate citizens about Idaho’s election process so that they feel confident in its transparency. Idaho requires voter ID, and many states don’t-yet most voters support it.

C. Careful planning & fiscal responsibility are vital in meeting budgetary needs. Expanding grant opportunities can help stretch county dollars further.

4. As personnel director for Boundary County, I am surprised with the process of voting in an elected official. When hiring even a part-time seasonal employee, the county requires a background check & drug testing. For more sensitive positions, we conduct extended background and credit checks and verify job history. However, with those running for office we are trusting that what they present is accurate and complete. Each voter must do their due diligence on verifying what is presented and what may be omitted.

5. An issue not getting enough attention is succession planning in county offices. I believe in cross-training and documented procedures so that we can ensure consistent services to our community. I believe in strong teamwork so that when someone is unavailable, someone else in the team can step in. This kind of team work takes leadership and respect and takes time to develop.

6. I believe in leading by example and the golden rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As personnel director, I see my share of contention. Most of the time people just want to be heard. Listening to other opinions and looking for the things in common and focusing on the things people do agree on shows respect and usually de-escalates situations.

7. Growth requires planning and efficiency. We continuously adapt to meet changing needs. We are developing a new website with ADA compliance and fillable applications to better serve our community. Our software systems are also being upgraded to improve services and prepare for future demands. Construction of our new justice center will provide two large courtrooms and additional staff space improving accessibility and efficiency in processing cases. As I brought up in previous speeches, the Moyie precinct is growing with over 2000 voters and may need to be split. I also support cross-training staff more to improve service.

8. I believe the nation as a whole is facing a serious health care crisis. The cost of insurance has become unattainable for many & the cost of medical services is beyond what most families can pay out of pocket. Hospitals across the country are struggling to keep their doors open & medication costs are far higher than in other countries. The legislature should take a closer look at this issue. During my six years working at the Restorium, I saw seniors unable to afford assisted living, which is why I helped implement the Medicaid billing process to ensure more citizens get the care they need.

9. I believe Government should be strongest at the local county level where there is the most accountability in our decisions. I believe you should be able to reach out to our local officials, as many of you do, when you have concerns. County government should provide essential services efficiently, manage taxpayer dollars to best of our ability, & remain accessible to the people we serve. Our role is to support the community through accurate record-keeping, transparent elections & budgets, providing necessary services while avoiding unnecessary red tape. It should be transparent, accountable, & provide practical solutions that meet local needs while enabling economic growth.

10. Are you willing to be fully transparent about your background, all work history & personal financial accountability, & how does that transparency build trust with voters?

Answer: Yes. I believe transparency is essential to public trust, especially for a County Clerk. Voters deserve to know who they are electing. With Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is easy to present polished versions of ourselves, but real trust comes from a consistent record over time. I was raised in Boundary County & my children & grandchildren live here. My background, work history, & record reflect my commitment to financial accountability & follow-through. I have proven history with my handling of finances & administration both professionally & personally. If elected, I will continue that same level of transparency & accountability to the Clerk’s Office every day.

11. Voters should choose me because I bring experience, integrity, and a strong commitment to Boundary County. I understand the responsibilities of the County Clerk’s office from firsthand experience managing records & finances and I am dedicated to ensuring accurate and fair elections. My knowledge will help provide a smooth transition and reliable service for our community.

This is my home. I was raised here, my family is here and I care deeply about our future. I believe in honesty, accountability and treating people with respect. I’m not running to make promises, but to continue to work and earn your trust every day.