Elective newcomers on ballot for GC assessor, auditor positions
Four county incumbents unopposed on Nov. 3.
Updated
EPHRATA — Starting with the letter ‘a’ — as in assessor and auditor — Grant County voters are choosing among four candidates making their first elective bids to lead those two courthouse offices in the future.
Vying for the assessor’s position on the Nov. 3 ballot are Clayton Johnson of Ephrata, a nonpartisan candidate and senior market analyst within the office, and Anson Bartrand of Beverly, a Republican involved with a private land management company.
In the auditor’s race, Shannon Falstad of Ephrata is a longtime courthouse employee currently serving as interim county auditor. She is being challenged by Darci Homesley of Moses Lake, financial services manager for the county MACC 911 dispatch center. Both are Republicans.
Each position is paid an annual salary of $125,985 and carries a four-year term starting Jan. 1.
ASSESSOR
Grant County assessor candidates Clayton Johnson (left) and Anson Bartrand.
Johnson, 42, has worked in the assessor’s office for nine years in multiple roles including commercial and industrial property appraisals and has over 250 hours of continuing education in assessment procedures and policies.
“The difference between me and my opponent is that I have the experience to get the job started on day one rather than needing years of training to learn the job,” said Johnson.
“Our office has had a significant amount of turnover in the last few years, so we are lacking experience, making it very important that we have an assessor (who) can hit the ground running,” he continued.
Bartrand, 25, said he holds degrees in accounting and business administration, attended three years of law school at the University of Idaho, and is chief officer of Sentinel Shores LLC, a Beverly-based company described as providing property management, real estate and investment services.
“I believe these skills provide a strong foundation for leading the assessor’s office with integrity, fairness, and professionalism,” he said in a candidate questionnaire.
Bartrand is an official write-in candidate whose name did not appear on the Aug. 4 primary ballot, but he received enough votes to qualify for the upcoming general election.
The winner will succeed current county assessor Melissa McKnight, who did not file for reelection and is leaving office when her term expires at the end of the year.
In Washington state, county assessors are responsible for appraising and establishing the “fair market value” of real and personal property to provide tax revenue based on rates established by local governments. Those include counties, cities, and various districts including fire, port, and regional library systems, plus voter-approved levies and bonds. A portion also goes to the state to support local public schools. Certain exemptions and deferrals are available to qualifying persons and organizations, and property owners can appeal their assessments to a county review board. Tax revenue is collected by the county treasurer for distribution to local governments.
The Grant County Assessor’s Office has 14 employees with an operational budget in 2026 of $2.2 million, which is comparable to several other similarly staffed courthouse offices.
Nonetheless, during a candidate forum last Wednesday in Ephrata, Bartrand called the budget “exorbitant” and, if elected, said he wants to reduce it. He spoke of possible personnel cuts and other expense reductions that he claimed would eventually lead to lower levy rates for property owners.
“Government screws a lot of things up,” said Bartrand, calling himself a conservative who stands for “fair assessments, efficiency, and humility” and wants to protect private property rights.
He said there needs to be changes in the office environment and relations with other county departments, citing the auditor and treasurer offices, saying there was “toxicity on both sides.” Bartrand said he would rely on “Christian faith to guide me” in employee relations.
While acknowledging he had not taken specific courses in government assessment procedures, Bartrand said he believes it would be “easy to do.”
“As the only Republican candidate in this race, I also bring a philosophy of limited government and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” said Bartrand. His website cites endorsements from McKnight, county commissioner Cindy Carter, former county commissioner Danny Stone, state Rep. Tom Dent, and the Grant County GOP.
Johnson, in turn, says he is running as a nonpartisan candidate “because I believe property assessments should remain fair, impartial, and entirely free of politics.”
An Army veteran, Johnson has described himself as “a man of faith,” a “family man” with three sons, and a public servant who has the support of staff and can provide leadership “to make the office better … (and) keep people around.”
Johnson said he has been endorsed by the Grant County Public Employees Association and the Washington Farm Bureau.
In campaign messaging, Johnson said the office will strive for consistency in property valuations and that he would work to restore trust, promote transparency, and “educate the public on how the office works.”
The county “needs an assessor with experience in that role,” he said. “My other qualifications are my drive for constant improvement in myself and my willingness to lift those around me and help them succeed as well.”
Grant County auditor candidates Shannon Falstad (left) and Darci Homesley.
Falstad led the Aug. 4 primary with 7,188 votes, followed by Homesley with 4,283 while a third candidate, Andrew Koeppen of Moses Lake, trailed with 3,905 votes and did not advance to next week’s general election.
In Washington state, auditors have four key responsibilities: overseeing accounting services for their respective counties, supervising local elections and vehicle licensing operations, and recording public documents that include marriage licenses, property deeds, and liens. The Grant County Auditor works with a staff of 14 employees.
Falstad, 57, was appointed interim auditor by county commissioners following the June 30 retirement of incumbent Michele Jaderlund. For the past decade, she served as the accounting deputy in the Grant County Clerk’s office, but initially worked in the auditor’s office beginning in 1996 in the recording/licensing divisions. She also supported the elections department during its busy times and handled accounts payable and payroll in the accounting department.
Prior to her tenure at the courthouse, Falstad had work experience as a teller at US Bank and as a recording clerk and title assistant at Chicago Title.
“Over the course of thirty years with Grant County, I have developed a thorough understanding of county operations and departmental interactions,” said Falstad, calling that background “essential, as the auditor’s office works closely with every county department."
Falstad was involved in the implementation of a new technology system that she said has improved accuracy, efficiency, and access to public records. If elected to a full term, Falstad said her goals include completing the implementation of an updated accounting system, ensuring all staff are fully cross-trained, and identifying improvements in policies and procedures to better serve both county departments and the public.
Falstad said she has been endorsed by Grant County clerk Kimberly A. Allen, former Grant County commissioner Richard Stevens, and former county licensing deputy Lori Kinzel. Currently, she is vice president and former treasurer of the Grant County Public Employees Association collective bargaining unit.
Homesley, 57, is a longtime Moses Lake-area resident. She is the financial services manager for the Grant County Multi Agency Communications Center and previously worked in the county fair office handling accounting duties.
On her website and in the county voters pamphlet, Homesley said she brings 35 years of accounting and budgeting experience, decision-making and collaboration skills, and commitments to integrity, transparency, and professionalism to her candidacy for county auditor.
In the voters pamphlet, she referenced being elected to boards, the importance of community service, and ensuring the auditor’s office “operates efficiently while adapting to the evolving needs of the community.”
“I am the best candidate for this office because I am committed to putting people first. Not only do my roots run deep in Grant County, I will lead with honesty, respect, and dedication while always keeping the needs of the community at the center of every decision,” she stated.
If elected, Homesley said she would maintain a “strictly non-partisan approach to financial and election oversight” and implement “rigorous internal controls to prevent waste and unnecessary spending.”
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Elective newcomers on ballot for GC assessor, auditor positions
Four county incumbents unopposed on Nov. 3.
EPHRATA — Starting with the letter ‘a’ — as in assessor and auditor — Grant County voters are choosing among four candidates making their first elective bids to lead those two courthouse offices in the future.
Vying for the assessor’s position on the Nov. 3 ballot are Clayton Johnson of Ephrata, a nonpartisan candidate and senior market analyst within the office, and Anson Bartrand of Beverly, a Republican involved with a private land management company.
In the auditor’s race, Shannon Falstad of Ephrata is a longtime courthouse employee currently serving as interim county auditor. She is being challenged by Darci Homesley of Moses Lake, financial services manager for the county MACC 911 dispatch center. Both are Republicans.
Each position is paid an annual salary of $125,985 and carries a four-year term starting Jan. 1.
ASSESSOR
Johnson, 42, has worked in the assessor’s office for nine years in multiple roles including commercial and industrial property appraisals and has over 250 hours of continuing education in assessment procedures and policies.
“The difference between me and my opponent is that I have the experience to get the job started on day one rather than needing years of training to learn the job,” said Johnson.
“Our office has had a significant amount of turnover in the last few years, so we are lacking experience, making it very important that we have an assessor (who) can hit the ground running,” he continued.
Bartrand, 25, said he holds degrees in accounting and business administration, attended three years of law school at the University of Idaho, and is chief officer of Sentinel Shores LLC, a Beverly-based company described as providing property management, real estate and investment services.
“I believe these skills provide a strong foundation for leading the assessor’s office with integrity, fairness, and professionalism,” he said in a candidate questionnaire.
Bartrand is an official write-in candidate whose name did not appear on the Aug. 4 primary ballot, but he received enough votes to qualify for the upcoming general election.
The winner will succeed current county assessor Melissa McKnight, who did not file for reelection and is leaving office when her term expires at the end of the year.
In Washington state, county assessors are responsible for appraising and establishing the “fair market value” of real and personal property to provide tax revenue based on rates established by local governments. Those include counties, cities, and various districts including fire, port, and regional library systems, plus voter-approved levies and bonds. A portion also goes to the state to support local public schools. Certain exemptions and deferrals are available to qualifying persons and organizations, and property owners can appeal their assessments to a county review board. Tax revenue is collected by the county treasurer for distribution to local governments.
The Grant County Assessor’s Office has 14 employees with an operational budget in 2026 of $2.2 million, which is comparable to several other similarly staffed courthouse offices.
Nonetheless, during a candidate forum last Wednesday in Ephrata, Bartrand called the budget “exorbitant” and, if elected, said he wants to reduce it. He spoke of possible personnel cuts and other expense reductions that he claimed would eventually lead to lower levy rates for property owners.
“Government screws a lot of things up,” said Bartrand, calling himself a conservative who stands for “fair assessments, efficiency, and humility” and wants to protect private property rights.
He said there needs to be changes in the office environment and relations with other county departments, citing the auditor and treasurer offices, saying there was “toxicity on both sides.” Bartrand said he would rely on “Christian faith to guide me” in employee relations.
While acknowledging he had not taken specific courses in government assessment procedures, Bartrand said he believes it would be “easy to do.”
“As the only Republican candidate in this race, I also bring a philosophy of limited government and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” said Bartrand. His website cites endorsements from McKnight, county commissioner Cindy Carter, former county commissioner Danny Stone, state Rep. Tom Dent, and the Grant County GOP.
Johnson, in turn, says he is running as a nonpartisan candidate “because I believe property assessments should remain fair, impartial, and entirely free of politics.”
An Army veteran, Johnson has described himself as “a man of faith,” a “family man” with three sons, and a public servant who has the support of staff and can provide leadership “to make the office better … (and) keep people around.”
Johnson said he has been endorsed by the Grant County Public Employees Association and the Washington Farm Bureau.
In campaign messaging, Johnson said the office will strive for consistency in property valuations and that he would work to restore trust, promote transparency, and “educate the public on how the office works.”
The county “needs an assessor with experience in that role,” he said. “My other qualifications are my drive for constant improvement in myself and my willingness to lift those around me and help them succeed as well.”
Websites:
https://www.ansonbartrand.com/
https://www.claytonforassessor.com/
AUDITOR
Falstad led the Aug. 4 primary with 7,188 votes, followed by Homesley with 4,283 while a third candidate, Andrew Koeppen of Moses Lake, trailed with 3,905 votes and did not advance to next week’s general election.
In Washington state, auditors have four key responsibilities: overseeing accounting services for their respective counties, supervising local elections and vehicle licensing operations, and recording public documents that include marriage licenses, property deeds, and liens. The Grant County Auditor works with a staff of 14 employees.
Falstad, 57, was appointed interim auditor by county commissioners following the June 30 retirement of incumbent Michele Jaderlund. For the past decade, she served as the accounting deputy in the Grant County Clerk’s office, but initially worked in the auditor’s office beginning in 1996 in the recording/licensing divisions. She also supported the elections department during its busy times and handled accounts payable and payroll in the accounting department.
Prior to her tenure at the courthouse, Falstad had work experience as a teller at US Bank and as a recording clerk and title assistant at Chicago Title.
“Over the course of thirty years with Grant County, I have developed a thorough understanding of county operations and departmental interactions,” said Falstad, calling that background “essential, as the auditor’s office works closely with every county department."
Falstad was involved in the implementation of a new technology system that she said has improved accuracy, efficiency, and access to public records. If elected to a full term, Falstad said her goals include completing the implementation of an updated accounting system, ensuring all staff are fully cross-trained, and identifying improvements in policies and procedures to better serve both county departments and the public.
Falstad said she has been endorsed by Grant County clerk Kimberly A. Allen, former Grant County commissioner Richard Stevens, and former county licensing deputy Lori Kinzel. Currently, she is vice president and former treasurer of the Grant County Public Employees Association collective bargaining unit.
Homesley, 57, is a longtime Moses Lake-area resident. She is the financial services manager for the Grant County Multi Agency Communications Center and previously worked in the county fair office handling accounting duties.
On her website and in the county voters pamphlet, Homesley said she brings 35 years of accounting and budgeting experience, decision-making and collaboration skills, and commitments to integrity, transparency, and professionalism to her candidacy for county auditor.
In the voters pamphlet, she referenced being elected to boards, the importance of community service, and ensuring the auditor’s office “operates efficiently while adapting to the evolving needs of the community.”
“I am the best candidate for this office because I am committed to putting people first. Not only do my roots run deep in Grant County, I will lead with honesty, respect, and dedication while always keeping the needs of the community at the center of every decision,” she stated.
If elected, Homesley said she would maintain a “strictly non-partisan approach to financial and election oversight” and implement “rigorous internal controls to prevent waste and unnecessary spending.”
Websites:
www.falstad4auditor.com.
www.votedarci.org
UNOPPOSED COUNTY CANDIDATES
A quartet of current Grant County office holders are unopposed in the Nov. 3 election for four-year terms starting in January. They are:
— Clerk Kimberly A. Allen, 58 , of Soap Lake, who will be entering a sixth term in office since her initial election in 2006;
— Coroner Craig Morrison, 63, of Moses Lake, first elected in 2010 and now advancing to his fifth term;
— Prosecutor Brandon Guernsey of Moses Lake, appointed interim prosecuting attorney in July 2025 following the resignation of Kevin McCrae.
— Treasurer Carrie Heston, 46, of Ephrata, appointed interim county treasurer following the June 30 retirement of Darryl Pheasant.
Allen, Guernsey, and Morrison all filed as Republicans; Heston as a nonpartisan candidate.