PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners made quick work Tuesday of selecting Teresa Marchi as the new acting treasurer, meeting for about 25 minutes in executive session before gathering in public session for less than five minutes to name Marchi to succeed Selinda Barkhuis.
Marchi, the former deputy treasurer, has been serving as the interim replacement for Barkhuis, who resigned in December with one year left on her term, citing “health issues resulting from work-related stress.”
Marchi will be paid $81,492 in salary and an additional $28,813 in benefits for total yearly compensation of $110,305.
Commissioners’ Chairman Mark Ozias said the commissioners did not interview Marchi, a 35-year treasurer’s office employee, or applicant Michael Cobb, a former Port of Port Angeles commissioner candidate, Navy finance officer and CEO.
“The commissioners decided an interview was not going to be necessary and we were ready to take action, so we came out of executive session and took that specific action,” Ozias said.
Marchi was not available for comment late Tuesday afternoon.
Filing week for the four-year position, which is up for election in the Nov. 6 general election, is May 14-18.
Marchi had declined to say if she would run for the position if she was chosen as acting treasurer.
Cobb said Tuesday that running for treasurer is “in my plans.”
He said he was not upset or angry about not being selected but noted he was not interviewed and said he was the subject of a background check.
Asking people who were interested in the position to submit an application “was a bit of a charade,” Cobb said.
“It does free up the decks for me to run a vigorous campaign.”
Ozias said he wrote the commissioners office news release announcing the appointment that was issued Tuesday afternoon.
The release reflected the commissioners’ discussion in executive session and the reasons for making the appointment.
It cited Marchi’s “depth of experience” in the treasurer’s office.
“Furthermore, the board felt that the high level of service provided to citizens by the treasurer’s office will be best maintained with minimal additional disruption through the appointment of Ms. Marchi.”
Barkhuis served seven years as treasurer before leaving office Dec. 15, after issuing a letter on Dec. 14.
A screening committee comprised of Human Resources Director Rich Sill, Auditor Shoona Riggs and Assessor Pam Rushton had recommended Marchi and Cobb as candidates.
Ozias said Sill and Riggs attended the executive session, with Sill presenting information on the two candidates.
“They went over the application process and then some of the criteria we are looking for and spent a few minutes helping us understand how each applicant’s experience related to the most relevant qualifications, then the commissioners had a discussion about what to do,” Ozias said.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
