Michelle Kellogg wants to make crucial changes in the Wasatch County Clerk-Auditor’s Office. As a candidate vying for the position, Kellogg said she will put communication with citizens first.
Kellogg, a Republican, is facing incumbent clerk-auditor Joey Granger in the primary election, which will be held on June 23. Though Kellogg was the top vote-getter at the Wasatch County Republican Party nominating convention in April, the two candidates chose the signature-gathering process, which triggers a primary election.
A Heber City resident who worked for the city for nearly eight years before her 10-year tenure as Park City’s recorder, Kellogg said she is looking to use her experience and skills to benefit the Wasatch County community as clerk-auditor.
The Clerk-Auditor’s Office maintains countywide elections and prepares agendas, takes minutes during County Council meetings and keeps approved county ordinances and resolutions on file. The office is also responsible for financial functions in the county, conducting reviews and internal audits while also issuing financial reports and statements.
Kellogg said her experience is specifically suited for the clerk-auditor position.
“It is common for candidates to have experience for one of the roles, but it is rare that they have experience in both roles,” Kellogg said.
Kellogg said she is “uniquely qualified” for this position since she has administered elections for Heber City and Park City municipalities for the past 18 years. The Park City recorder also has accounting experience and said she is confident about her ability to audit financials for the county.
Specifically, Kellogg said she wants to be proactive and “do more than the minimum requirements” when implementing state election laws. She said any updates will come immediately instead of waiting for the deadline.
Such updates include identification verification changes that have already started to change in counties like Salt Lake County. Voters will have to include the last four digits of their driver’s license, state identification or social security number on their ballot starting next year. Granger said the adjustment will start in Wasatch County this year, but Kellogg said getting ahead of such changes is a priority.
“I think it’s really important to communicate the new laws on ID verification so that people will become accustomed to it before that law becomes enacted,” Kellogg said.
Certifying the tax rate and applying it to property valuations is something Kellogg also called out as a major responsibility of the clerk-auditor. She said she would like to add a letter to the property valuation and proposed property tax notice sent in July that explains the processes and factors going into property value increases or decreases.
“This is a real concern for many in the county that needs to be addressed and clarified,” Kellogg said. “I promise to take an active interest in all the responsibilities of the office and enhance customer service.”
Kellogg said the job of clerk-auditor is one of the most important offices in county government because the office has regular interaction with the community due to its wide-ranging responsibilities.
“We need an excellent county Clerk-Auditor’s Office,” Kellogg said. “I have the knowledge, skills, experience and energy to elevate the office to how it should be run.”
Granger and Kellogg will both appear on the June 23 primary election ballot because the two Republican candidates both chose the signature-gathering process. Republicans Rachel Kahler and William (Brett) Vance will appear on the primary ballot as contenders for Wasatch County Council Seat A, and Republicans Jeremy Hales and incumbent Sheriff Jared Rigby will appear on the primary ballot as candidates for Wasatch County sheriff.