Hyer to become new county treasurer

Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Joe Hyer will add a new title March 1: Thurston County treasurer.

County commissioners informally chose Hyer on Monday Tuesday to succeed Robin Hunt, who is leaving office to take a new job before the expiration of her four-year term Dec. 31.

Commissioners can’t make the formal appointment until Hunt leaves office, but they took the step of naming Hyer early to ease the coming transition.

County commissioners have scheduled Hyer’s formal appointment and swearing-in ceremony for 11 a.m. March 1, when Hunt officially leaves office.

Hyer said he would remain on the City Council during the appointment period but would reassess the situation if voters elected him to the post in November.

“I think I can do both jobs well for a time but not forever,” he said.

Hyer said he was excited about the new job and planned to meet with Hunt today and Thursday to introduce himself to his new staff and begin learning the details of the job, which pays $105,276 a year.

The pending appointment adds to Hyer’s responsibilities as an elected official and co-owner of two downtown Olympia businesses, The Alpine Experience and Olympic Outfitters.

Asked whether Hyer’s other responsibilities were a factor in her decision, county commission Chairwoman Sandra Romero said she’s not in a position to say what workload Hyer can handle.

“He hasn’t had a chance to prove himself,” she said.

Romero noted three reasons why Hyer was appointed: he was “absolutely qualified” for the job; he was the top pick of the Thurston County Democratic Party; and he was endorsed by Hunt. Hyer is treasurer of the Thurston County Democratic Party and chairman of the City Council’s finance committee.

The state constitution requires the political party the elected official is affiliated with to forward the names of three nominees to the county commissioners, which was done last month.

Bill Pilkey, a certified financial planner and president of the Thurston County Taxpayers’ Association, which promotes fiscal responsibility and honesty in government, has announced his candidacy for the post.

The most visible job of the county treasurer is to bill, collect and distribute property taxes; Hyer’s ascension occurs as property tax payments start flowing into the office. The treasurer also receives state and federal dollars allocated to local governments. The treasurer also invests some public money.

You can read the entire story in tomorrow's edition of The Olympian.

More information about Hunt's new job can be found here.

More information about the party's nomination process can be found here.