MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Board of County Commissioners has appointed Shannon Falstad as the county’s next auditor, selecting a longtime county employee with decades of experience in both the auditor’s and clerk’s offices to replace outgoing Auditor Michele Jaderlund, who is retiring at the end of June.  

County officials announced Thursday that Falstad will assume the role effective July 1. The appointment follows a selection process that included public interviews. 

Falstad will serve as auditor through the remainder of the year unless elected to continue in the position. She is running against two other candidates, Darci Homesley and Andrew Koeppen. The deadline for the primary election is Aug. 4, with ballots anticipated to be mailed out on July 15, according to the Grant County Elections Office. 

Falstad has worked in Grant County government for approximately 30 years, including 20 years in the auditor’s office and a decade in her current role as an accounting deputy in the Grant County Clerk’s Office. 

In her current position, Falstad manages departmental tills and deposits, reconciles bank accounts, supervises cashiers, processes payroll and helps maintain compliance with financial protocols. Her earlier tenure in the auditor’s office included serving as recording and licensing lead deputy, where she oversaw licensing and recording operations, processed daily deposits and maintained compliance with county and state requirements. 

Falstad said her broad background across the office’s functions, including experience supporting elections and managing financial processes, motivated her to apply for the appointment and seek election to the position. 

“The auditor’s office is unique in that it oversees four completely different departments,” Falstad said. “It’s important that whoever steps into the role has a well-rounded understanding of all of them.” 

The county auditor’s office is responsible for a range of duties, including recording land documents such as deeds and surveys, issuing marriage licenses, overseeing vehicle licensing through a contract with the state, administering elections and managing the county’s financial reporting and accounting systems. 

Falstad said she views the role as both an opportunity and a challenge. 

“It’s exciting and a little intimidating,” she said. “I’m a perfectionist and take a lot of pride in my work, so I want to do the best job I can.” 

Her immediate priorities include ensuring a smooth leadership transition, maintaining continuity in the elections process, and supporting the implementation of a new accounting system currently underway within the county. She also emphasized retaining staff and maintaining stability across departments as key goals. 

“Creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work and take pride in their jobs is really important,” Falstad said. “There’s been some turnover, and I want to focus on supporting our team and keeping that knowledge in-house.” 

Falstad will step into the role just weeks before election season intensifies, with ballots scheduled to go out in mid-July. She said that timing requires her to quickly engage in election administration while also adapting to broader leadership responsibilities. 

The Board of County Commissioners confirmed that both the applicant interview and the appointment announcement were recorded and will be made available on the county’s official YouTube page. 

A lifelong Grant County resident, Falstad said her deep ties to the community will help keep her informed as an auditor. 

“I was born and raised here, raised my family here, and have long-standing relationships across the county,” she said. “That helps with communication, collaboration and serving the public effectively.” 

Fallstad said her goal is to uphold the office’s standards while building on its existing strengths. 

“My goal is to provide the highest level of service possible to our community, the county and our staff,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to learn, grow and contribute in a meaningful way while ensuring the office continues to serve the public with integrity and excellence.”