County assessor under scrutiny for conduct; politics questioned

Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified a former Grant County assessor's office employee who submitted written comments to the commissioners. Her name is Lesa Trevino, not Lisa Valdez.

EPHRATA — Two separate reports involving Grant County assessor Melissa McKnight are under review by the county prosecutor’s office, officials confirmed Tuesday.

The nature of the reports was not disclosed. But during a public comment period that morning, county commissioners Kevin Burgess, Cindy Carter, and Rob Jones listened to criticisms of McKnight’s management and conduct from one current and one former employee and another longtime county worker.

McKnight herself was not at the meeting and did not comment when contacted Wednesday by GCJ.news.

Allegations were raised of poor communication and leadership within the office, that a half-dozen former employees had left because of a hostile work environment, that McKnight showed favoritism in the hiring of another employee whom some considered unqualified for the position, and that she may have influenced a decreased assessment of property valuations which resulted in lowered taxes for certain friends and neighbors.

Among those addressing the commissioners were Jerry Gingrich, a retired deputy clerk for the commissioners’ office who continued to serve as chair of the county’s Veterans Advisory Board and vice chair of the county Board of Equalization; Amy Perez, who currently works in the assessor’s office; and former employee Lesa Trevino whose comments were submitted by email.

Both Perez and Trevino initially requested that their written comments to be anonymous, but later disclosed their names.

“I’ll take the hit for it,” said Perez, who feared potential retaliation. She called the office “out of control” and told commissioners "something needs to be done … an intervention."

In response, Burgess said the commissioners are “taking steps, but we’re limited in what we can do.”

Decorah Anderson-Cook, the county’s Human Resources director, said two investigations have been conducted: one internally by the HR department; another separately by Clear Risk Solutions, the county’s insurance pool administrator.

Both reports were submitted to the county prosecutor’s office for review, and meetings are scheduled next week to consider “next steps,” said Anderson-Cook.

“I know employees feel like nothing is being done,” said Anderson-Cook. But she noted that elected officials within the courthouse are “the employer” of personnel within their respective offices, not the commissioners.

But Gingrich asked whether the human resources department is obligated to investigate a hostile work environment, regardless of office.

“Yes,” Anderson-Cook responded.

Gingrich also asked if the Grant County Republican Party should “do something.”

Burgess was not sure whether party officials were aware of the situation.

Privately, some officials questioned whether the allegations are politically motivated and why they’re being leveled now against McKnight, a 35-year county employee who is leaving office in less than six months when her current term expires. A Republican, she did not file for re-election after serving as assessor since 2015.

Clayton Johnson of Ephrata, currently the office’s sales analyst, filed as a non-partisan in May for the post. He was unopposed in the upcoming elections until Anson Bartrand of Beverly filed last week as a Republican write-in candidate. Bartrand, 25, has served as a GOP precinct committee officer since age 18 and been involved in the county Republican Party in various capacities.

Cindy Carter said the county’s human resources department and prosecutor’s office were aware of the complaints and concerns. “They’re taking steps … in the process right now,” she said.

If something happens in the interim, asked Perez, what should she or other employees do?

“Let us know when an event happens,” said Anderson-Cook.

Somewhat separately, Gingrich told commissioners that he was resigning from the veterans and equalization boards to protest what he called a months-long lack of fiscal accounting and data.

There needs to be “an accounting” from the commissioners regarding multiple issues, said Gingrich, who added that his wife – an employee in the assessor’s office – “had no input” regarding his statement.

Jim Brakebill, who chairs the county board of equalization — a group that considers appeals from property owners questioning their assessed valuations – was among about 18 individuals who followed Tuesday’s proceedings online.

Brakebill said he was surprised to hear that Gingrich intended to step down, noting the equalization board was already seeking to fill an existing vacancy. Gingrich’s departure “will cause some issues … we’re already down members,” he told the commissioners.

During the proceedings, Rob Jones questioned whether it was appropriate for commissioners to hear or disclose anonymous “whistleblower” complaints in a public session. County civil deputy prosecutor Trevor Bevier said he was not aware of any prohibition against disclosure and felt that was a discretionary decision for the board.