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Simonton takes reins as new county treasurer

Official 2016 election results

Official results from the Nov. 8 general election are now available on the Eagle County website at http://www.eaglecounty.us/ElectionResults.

EAGLE — Teak Simonton counted her last election results Thursday and headed up the hall, ending more than a decade as Eagle County’s clerk and recorder to start a new job as the treasurer.

Simonton, a Democrat, won the treasurer’s job in last week’s election. She’ll replace Mari Renzelman, who was appointed in January to fill the vacancy created when then-Treasurer Karen Sheaffer retired.

“I’m ready to get to work in my new role as treasurer, serving the public well, successfully implementing our statutory duties and working with the team to ensure the best possible approach to our responsibilities,” Simonton said.



Beginning in 2017, the treasurer’s salary will be $94,250, up from $72,500. The public trustee’s salary is $12,500. Simonton will hold both positions.

“It is my intent to dive into this new role enthusiastically; getting to know the existing team members better, learning the mechanics of the job and focusing on terrific customer service for all our stakeholders,” Simonton said.

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The treasurer keeps track of Eagle County’s 107 taxing entities and is responsible for billing, collecting and distributing a tax roll of $183 million, as well as performing cash flow and banking services for Eagle County.

Simonton’s timing is in keeping with a Colorado state law that requires a vacancy in the treasurer’s office to be filled by appointment by the board of county commissioners until the next general election, at which time the vacancy is considered filled by that election.

Deputy Clerk Regina O’Brien will be acting clerk & recorder until an appointment is made, which is anticipated by the end of the year. The appointee will have to run for election in 2018, if they choose to.

In her final election as clerk and recorder, Simonton’s office tabulated an additional 241 ballots during the canvass process. Those were 167 ballots dropped off in other Colorado counties by 7 p.m. on Election Day, which must be counted; 71 ballots from voters who verified their signatures; and three provisional ballots.

An additional 115 ballots were rejected due to missing signatures or signatures that didn’t match voter registration records. These voters were notified and had until midnight on Nov. 16 to respond and prove their identity.

Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 and rwyrick@vaildaily.com.


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