Interim county auditor, treasurer appointed by commissioners
Falstad, Heston succeed retiring longtime incumbents.
EPHRATA — Grant County commissioners have appointed Shannon Falstad as interim county auditor and Carrie Heston as interim county treasurer to succeed two longtime incumbents —Michele Jaderlund and Darryl Pheasant — who are retiring June 30, six months before their current terms expire.
Falstad, 57, and Heston, 46, both from Ephrata, begin their new roles on Wednesday, July 1. Each is a candidate for their respective courthouse positions and will serve as interims through the November general election.
The process to fill vacancies for elected county posts is spelled out in Washington state law.
Heston, an independent, is unopposed. She has worked in the treasurer’s office for 28 years and is currently the accounting and investment officer. Her appointment was announced following an interview this Monday afternoon with commissioners Kevin Burgess, Cindy Carter, and Rob Jones.
“Carrie plans to bring her experience, commitment and high standards of integrity to the role of County Treasurer,” the commissioners said in a press statement. They noted her implementation of multiple software systems, ability to manage complex projects, organizational skills, and understanding of fiscal operations including cash management, investments, and bond tracking.
Heston was endorsed by the 67-year-old Pheasant, who is stepping down as Washington state’s longest-serving county treasurer following his initial election in 1986.
Falstad, a Republican, faces two challengers in the Aug. 4 primary against fellow GOP candidates Andrew Koepen and Darci Homesley, both of Moses Lake. The top two advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
Winners of both the auditor and treasurer’s races begin four-year terms starting Jan. 1, 2027.
Falstad has served as the accounting deputy in the county clerk’s office since 2016. She began working at the courthouse in the auditor’s office in 1996 and has experience in the recording, licensing, accounting, and elections departments.
Her appointment was announced following a Thursday, June 25 interview with commissioners, who said Falstad will “bring her skills in leadership, financial management, and public service to the role of Grant County Auditor.”
She replaces Jaderlund, 65, a 35-year county employee first elected as auditor in 2014.
