By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Julie Anderson sees to it that in Pierce County, elections go off without a hitch, licenses are issued and tabs are kept on animals. Those are some of the duties and responsibilities that Anderson oversees as the county auditor. It's a job she jokingly notes was nowhere in her childhood dreams ("What kid dreams of becoming an auditor?") but finds exciting from the nuts-and-bolts role it plays in county government. The auditor's office handles elections, public document recording, vehicle licensing, business licensing, and animal control services that include fighting animal cruelty. With no one running against her, Anderson was re-elected last year to the post she first assumed in 2009. Before then, she was the senior policy advisor for the state Department of Commerce and was a Tacoma City Council member from 2004 to 2009. "I seem to be attracted to work that requires decisionmaking, judgment and a ton of research and communication," said Anderson. Away from work, Anderson is a senior fellow and board member for the American Leadership Forum, a community advocacy group with a Pierce County chapter. She also mentors young people through Palmer Scholars, a non-profit program that helps minority students prepare for post-high school education. -á In a recent question-and-answer session with The Dispatch, Anderson talked about her work and herself, including one of her personal heroes GÇô the homeless "peanut butter and jelly man." Dispatch: When you were growing up and then early in your professional career, did you ever think you'd be a county auditor or doing the kind of work you do now? Anderson: Auditor? What kid dreams of becoming an auditor? No, I never expected to be an elected official, much less a county auditor responsible for elections, licensing, animal control and document recording. But I'm not surprised that I really like this work. My work has always involved executive management, the public and policy. I seem to be attracted to work that requires decisionmaking, judgment and a ton of research and communication. Dispatch: Is there a part of your job that's most exciting, such as the first night of election results? Anderson: Election night is exciting, but it's not the high point for me. Sure, I love making sure that first results are accurate, prompt and trustworthy.-áBut the behind-the-scenes, mission-critical work is more exciting.-áMonths before an election are filled with filing and registration deadlines, ballot titles, logic and accuracy testing, etc. And, the weeks after the election are filled with audits and reconciliation.-áAnd, believe it or not, our other programs, such as public records, business licensing, animal control and vehicle licensing are also filled with exciting challenges. I love this job. Dispatch: The county has been under an all-mail voting system for elections since 2011. How's it going so far in terms of voter participation and administering elections? Anderson: It's no secret that election administrators in the northwest love Vote-by-mail. Oregon, Washington and Colorado are 100 percent vote-by-mail. Voters seem to agree. Ninety percent of them were choosing to vote by mail when we still had polling places.-áOn the administration side, Pierce County did save a little money.-áAnd, as predicted, we nudged up voter turnout. As administrators, we love the consistency of everyone being on vote-by-mail and our ability to control quality. Dispatch: What innovation or accomplishment within the auditor's office during your tenure is most satisfying for you?-á Anderson:-áLetting the office be front and center, as opposed to the auditor's name and face. The employees make our office great.-áI'm constantly amazed by the staff and all they know and do. Their expertise and professional pride is outstanding. Favorite accomplishments?-á " Eliminating red tape.-áWe dropped 28 business license categories that served no useful purpose and created unnecessary regulation.-á " Our Citizenship Celebration. We sponsor an annual swearing-in for as many as 100 naturalized citizens from up to 70 countries.-á " Fully-staffing animal control with Sheriff Department officers.-áIn 2014, we had a 100 percent conviction rate for our animal cruelty cases. " Installing 29 ballot drop boxes throughout the county.-áMore than any other county. " Launching an e-recording program, which allows customers to file and retrieve documents online and pay real estate excise tax electronically. -á Dispatch: Do you see yourself seeking any other elected office, or do you consider yourself a lifer as auditor for the foreseeable future? Anderson: A lifer? No way. I strongly support term limits. Folks say that term limits only create political chair swapping. But I've watched elections for a while, and I know that term limits create circulation and openings for newcomers.-áThere's nothing magical about being an elected official. Make room for others.-á Dispatch: What's a favorite hobby or pasttime for you? Anderson:-áI have a puppy, Libby. She's a seven-month old mutt, supposedly a cross between Great Dane and Catahoula Spotted Leopard Hound. Libby takes up a bunch of time because, well, she's a puppy.-á-á I volunteer with professional associations, as well as the American Leadership Forum and Rotary.-áI'm a coach and cheerleader to women and minorities who consider elected leadership. I recently downloaded three years of "Parks and RecGÇ¥ for binge-watching.-áThe funniest bits are the ones that hit close to home. Dispatch: Who's a personal hero for you, and why? -á Anderson: U.S. Rep. Adam Smith is so darned smart and independent. A sharp wit, too. He's my favorite elected official.-á Jerry. I never knew his last name. Jerry was disabled, semi-homeless and a veteran. He unfailingly testified before the Tacoma City Council between 2004 and 2007. Jerry called himself the "peanut butter and jelly man" and spoke for the people who "slept under the bridge." Jerry testified a lot during council meetings. It was easy to get frustrated with him. But you had to admire his passion and determination. Jerry taught me a lot about humility, persistence and patience. I'm proud that he called me his friend. He died without fanfare in 2007, due to a chronic disease.-áFor the past three years, the auditor's office has cooked and served hot dinners in the D Street alley garage (in Tacoma), right where Jerry served his simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Jerry was a model of citizenship. I wish that I had honored him this way when he was still alive.
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