Milene Henley has announced her intent to seek re-election as San Juan County auditor. 

Auditor is a countywide position with responsibilities for financial reporting, election administration, vehicle and vessel licensing, and recording land and other documents within the county. The auditor serves a four-year term. The position is non-partisan. The auditor is paid $72,255 a year with full benefits.

Henley was elected to her first term as auditor in November 2006.  She brought to the job degrees from Harvard and Stanford universities, and experience in private-sector business and finance. 

“During her first term, she has led her department in implementing and expanding the use of the county’s new financial management system, Eden. She also sourced, selected and implemented a new recording system and a new dog license system,” her reelection campaign announcement stated.

“The dog license system has helped local animal protection societies to return missing dogs to their homes by giving them online access to the licensing database, including pictures of the missing pooches.

“In 2009, purchasing for the county was centralized in the Auditor’s Office, saving the county tens of thousands of dollars annually. Other accomplishments of Henley’s first term include updating the County Travel Policy and the County Fixed Assets Accounting Policy; bringing the county into greater compliance with IRS regulations; and, as surplus property agent for the county, encouraging the re-use of surplus personal property throughout the county.” 

In April 2009, Henley delivered the bad news that county revenues were running significantly below budget, and recommended a $1 million reduction in the county budget. Along with County Administrator Pete Rose, she was instrumental in effecting the budget reductions which followed. She was also instrumental in the adoption, in 2009, of the county’s first-ever reserves policy. 

In addition to serving as county auditor, Henley serves on the Local Government Advisory Committee of the State Auditor’s Office. She also serves as Northwest regional representative to the executive board of the Washington State Association of County Auditors (WSACA), and as the WSACA finance chairwoman.

The primary election is Aug. 17, the general election is Nov. 2. The top two vote-getters in the primary advance to the general election.

Islanders will vote on 14 legislative and local positions this year: County assessor, auditor, clerk, prosecutor, sheriff, treasurer; County Council District 2, District 5, and District 6; District Court judge, Superior Court judge; U.S. House of Representatives 2nd District, 40th District state House Position 1, and 40th District state House Position 2.