HELENA — Lewis and Clark County commissioners have selected a longtime employee in the county treasurer-clerk and recorder’s office to take over the top job.
On Thursday morning, commissioners unanimously appointed Amy Reeves as the next treasurer-clerk and recorder. She is set to be officially sworn in next Tuesday.
Reeves was one of three finalists – along with Lori Hamm and Melinda Reed – to succeed Paulette DeHart, who is retiring Sept. 25. A fourth finalist, Nan Lefebvre, withdrew her application Wednesday.
The treasurer-clerk and recorder oversees a wide range of county services. The office includes five departments that administering elections, motor vehicle titling, property tax collection, official documents and county financial reporting.
Reeves has spent 27 years in the office and currently serves as the accounting division supervisor. While she worked primarily in the accounting department, she said she has also worked closely with the motor vehicle and property tax departments and volunteered to assist with elections.
“I felt that, with all that knowledge that I had, I would be most useful to go to this position,” Reeves said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to serve the taxpayers of Lewis and Clark County.”
Commissioners said they took the appointment process very seriously, since the person they selected would become an independent elected official, not a regular employee. They said all four of the candidates they interviewed were highly qualified, but that they felt Reeves was the best choice because of her familiarity with the office.
“In these times that we’re in – with COVID, an election on our doorstep, uncertainty – I just believe we need consistency in that office, especially for the remainder of this term,” said Commissioner Andy Hunthausen. “We need continuity there.”
Reeves said she feels the office’s departments are generally working well, and that she wants to continue the work DeHart has done.
“I want to keep those strong ties and the teamwork between all of our departments,” she said. “I think this will be a really good fit.”
Reeves will serve for the remaining 27 months of DeHart’s term, through the end of 2022. The next election for treasurer-clerk and recorder will be held in November 2022.
