The Boulder Monitor reached out to the unopposed candidates of the County, asking them to share some information on who they are and why they chose to serve in their respective role. All but Justice of the Peace Steve Andersen are represented.
Terri Kunz, Jefferson County Treasurer
When I was elected to office in 2014, and despite the research I had done to prepare, I was overwhelmed. There is so much about county government and this office to understand. [Former Clerk and Recorder] Bonnie Ramey told me at the beginning that with all the changes made by the legislature this job is continually a learning experience, and I agree.
Let me tell you a little about me and my office. My family and I love Montana and its people and the beauty that surrounds us. We have a son who is married to a beautiful and smart lady, and they have two children.
Professionally, I spent most of my career in banking, beginning as a teller and leaving as a commercial lender. In college I loved medicine but found satisfaction in numbers as well.
The Treasurer’s office is responsible for the registration of all the vehicles in Jefferson County. With that comes all the variants of the word vehicle. Is the vehicle operated on a farm, on a county road, a highway, or trail? Is it two, three or four wheels? How much does it weigh? Does it have a lien on it, can you drive it? Do we have your current address in Jefferson in County. How many people own it. The details of this process are endless.
We are responsible for collecting all the funds needed to operate the county. That includes, of course, the dreaded tax statement. It also includes payments from vendors, the State, Federal agencies and more, including taxes for real estate, mobile homes, personal property, utilities, etc. These are created after the Dept. of Revenue assesses and the Commission sets mill levies. At the end of the month, we pay all the warrants issued and balance the bank accounts to our collections and disbursements to the State and schools. I manage our investments and bank accounts. I work with the commission to report and receive guidance on issues. I work with a variety of agencies across the state as well as other counties. Joyfully, I also get to work with the great employees of this county.
In addition, I currently serve on the County Treasurers legislative and education committees. Working with the legislature is challenging but we try to make things easier for our constituents by making changes to laws to serve you better.
Sarah Eyer, Jefferson County Superintendent of Schools
Since May of 2020, Eyer has served as the Jefferson County Superintendent of Schools. Eyer has built relationships with rural schools and works closely with school boards, teachers, administrators, health professionals, parents and home educators.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Eyer received her degrees in elementary education and school administration from Montana State University and her Master’s in education from Western Oregon State University. She holds licenses from the State of Montana in elementary, special education and school administration.
Eyer has lived in Jefferson County with her husband, T.J., for 25 years. Together they’ve raised three sons, all of whom are Jefferson High School graduates. Eyer is an experienced paraprofessional, sign language interpreter and a teacher for special and regular education. Eyer spent more than 20 years with the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. She has served as a leader on numerous state boards, as well as private and volunteer organizations statewide and in Jefferson County.
Eyer is an outspoken advocate for education and safety in schools and has made changes to do what is right for the children.
– By Terri Kunz
Steve Haddon, Jefferson County Attorney
As an elected official, the county attorney serves as both a state officer and a county officer. The county attorney and deputy county attorneys prosecute violations of Montana’s criminal laws on behalf of the State of Montana and represent the state on certain civil matters, e.g. civil commitments. The county attorney’s office also serves as legal counsel for Jefferson County, and provides legal advice to county officials and department heads. The county attorney is precluded by law from providing legal advice to private citizens on civil matters.
As I enter the eighth year as your county attorney I am honored to be able to continue to serve the citizens of Jefferson County. As I have said to individuals from time to time, I have truly found a home here, serving the citizens of Jefferson County. This is not to say the position has been without challenge.
The biggest challenge to date has been the COVID pandemic. County elected officials, department heads and employees were faced with a situation none of us had experienced, or had any experience in managing. Often, there was no bright line solution to an issue and we were left to make judgment calls. Through it all, though, and with the collaborative efforts of all working in Jefferson County local government, we were able to confront the challenges brought on by the pandemic and kept local government functioning.
On the other hand, the rewards of serving as county attorney far outweigh the challenges of the position. I enjoy working with and advising Jefferson County elected officials, department heads, law enforcement and employees; helping them to navigate through the intricacies and nuances of Montana law. While many workings go on behind the scenes, rest assured, the goal of all who work in Jefferson County local government is to strive to make Jefferson County a better place to live.
I look forward to continuing as Jefferson County Attorney for at least another four years. I have been practicing law in Montana for over 28 years and the time spent as Jefferson County attorney have been the most rewarding of my career. Our office will continue to carry out our duties under Montana law to make Jefferson County a safe place to live and a county we all can call our home.
Ginger Kunz, Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder
As the Clerk and Recorder, I enjoy helping the people of Jefferson County. I like that I get to see people from all over the county and help them answer a question or solve a problem, whether it’s their voter registration, records for their property or printing a birth certificate. Sometimes the paperwork needed for those tasks is overwhelming or confusing. I like that someone can walk in the office and we know exactly how to help and make their day easier.
Working with the employees in all the different county departments is another aspect I enjoy. Everyone that you work alongside has the same goal: to take care of Jefferson County residents. The world is kind of crazy right now and, for the most part, I feel Jefferson County is immune. We all take care of each other and don’t jump on the division bandwagon that seems to be happening in other places around the country. Election Day is a great example of that. Volunteers from all over the county, with varying beliefs, step up and come together to help their communities exercise their right to vote. My staff, the judges and I take a lot of pride in this process.
There are challenges with the position, in part because I have only worked in the office for six years. Some of the issues that come up are once-in-a-decade or they stem from something that happened 20-30 years ago. That involves doing some research and finding resources to understand what happened back then and how do we address it now. However, those challenges are enjoyable too, as they’re learning experiences and help my staff and I build our knowledge base for the future.
I have spent most of my life in Jefferson County, attending Basin Elementary and Jefferson High. My husband and I have built our home in Jefferson City. My kids will attend Clancy Elementary and Jefferson High.This job is meaningful to me because this is my family’s home. I am grateful to be in a position to keep the records of the county, help my neighbors with questions they have and work with a wonderful group of people.
