Helton seeks 3rd term as clerk/treasurer

Churchill County Clerk/Treasurer Kelly G. Helton announced Monday she will seek her third term.

A native of Fallon who graduated from Churchill County High School in 1981, Helton has worked in the clerk’s/treasurer’s office for 27 years, moving up the ranks to office manager under retired Clerk Gloria Venturacci. Helton, a Republican, first ran unopposed for the partisan office in 2006 and easily defeated challenger Ken Greenwell in 2010.

Helton also attended Hill Business College in Sacramento.

“My goals have been and continue to be to increase public confidence in local government by providing efficient and courteous service; to raise awareness of the voter registration process and the efficiency, transparency and effectiveness of the election process; and to provide the highest level of service with the minimum financial impact,” Helton said.

According to Helton, she is extremely proud of the cross training every employee in the office has undertaken. She also said each one of her five employees has her own specialty and duties. The training has paid dividends especially during elections.

“We strive to be the first reporting county on election night,” she said.

Although the voting machines are aging, Helton said the equipment works well, and her staff is very familiar with it.

“I appreciate the quality of my staff which assists with the wide array of tasks that are completed within the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office,” Helton said. “Their teamwork and dedication are beyond measure.”

In addition to assuring elections are run smoothly, her office also collects revenues for the county. As treasurer, Helton receives revenues owed to the county and invests all monies. Helton said she works well with the elected officials and department heads and assists them in maintaining the financial strength and oversight controls for Churchill County.

“We are like the bank for the county,” she explained. “All departments deposit their receipts with us. We also collect property tax and all revenues from the state and apportion (the revenue) to all entities that receive tax dollars.”

Her office also collects property tax and then apportions the money to the city of Fallon, the school district, the Mosquito, Weed and Vector Board and Truckee-Canal Irrigation District.

“It has been my honor and pleasure to serve the citizens of Churchill County and hope I am given the chance to continue to do so for the next four years,” Helton said. “I am grateful for the responsibility entrusted in me and the support I have received as I carry out the duties of this office. I respectfully ask my fellow citizens for their continued support.”