Candidate statement from Connie Regnell, Shasta County Auditor-Controller
I am seeking re-election as Shasta County Auditor and I sincerely want your vote.
As Auditor, I am responsible for ensuring the County’s budget of $396 million is spent appropriately and in compliance with the law. I audit financial transactions for more than 100 departmental budget units, 60 dependent districts, 50 independent special districts, and numerous school funds. I am responsible for processing a bi-weekly payroll for close to 1,900 employees, property tax administration, internal audits, and financial reporting. This requires extensive experience at the senior level in a County Auditor’s office. I am the only candidate with this experience and knowledge.
My platform has three components: Experience, Fiscal Accountability, and Commitment.
My experience includes 19 years in two County Auditor-Controller’s offices. This experience includes serving 6 years as the Assistant Auditor-Controller in Tehama County and 8 years as the Assistant Auditor-Controller in Shasta County. I took office as your elected Auditor in January 2007. I have more than 300 accredited hours of education and training pertaining directly to this work. I also have 18 years of private sector management and accounting experience.
We instituted and maintain the highest level of fiscal accountability at the Auditor’s office. I invested resources in technology that dramatically saves County money through elimination of redundant entries, and real-time reporting and data access for nearly 600 independent users at the department and special district level. We now have state-of-the-art online time entry for all County employees. This system has increased internal controls through software security and reporting enhancements.
I am actively involved the State Association of County Auditors to ensure Shasta County’s voice is heard at the state level. I have chaired the Association’s Legislative Committee for several years, and chaired the County Budget Act Revision Committee. I am currently the Vice President of the State Association of County Auditors. And I worked closely with former Assemblymen La Malfa to enact legislation for special districts.
I believe in this community. I moved to Redding with my family in 1968. I have been a member of Rotary since 1991, serving as President of 2 clubs and currently a member of Redding Rotary. I am the founding chair of Relay For Life in Redding and chaired the event for several years. I am a past Board of Director for KIXE Public Television and a past recipient of Soroptimist International “Women of Distinction Award.” I also volunteer for organizations such as Shasta Women’s Refuge, Special Olympics, Haven Humane, etc.
Accomplishing the responsibilities of County Auditor requires total commitment. This position is extremely technical in nature and faces continually changing state and federal requirements. I ensure Shasta County’s money is spent and accounted for properly. As the fiscal belt continues to tighten, historical knowledge and successful leadership experience are vital to meeting the responsibilities of the Auditor’s office.
Throughout my first term, we have annually received the State Controller’s Excellence in Financial Reporting Recognition, and clean reports from the Grand Jury on all financial and procedural inquiries.
However, none of this would have been possible if I didn’t have a well trained committed staff. I am honored to have the formal endorsement of 15 of 19 employees in the office. We continue to become more efficient and accountable with less. I am also proud of the ongoing, successful, working relations I have with department heads, special districts and the Board of Supervisors.
I’m asking for your vote on June 8th. When re-elected, I will continue to run the Auditor’s office as an independent office, accountable to the citizens of Shasta County. I will continue to ensure that the County’s money is spent appropriately and in compliance with code, budget and regulations. I will maintain solid and in-depth audit procedures, honestly and without favor.
For more information about me, including a listing of my endorsement, please visist my web site at www.Re-ElectConnieRegnell.com
I moved to Redding with my family in 1968, and graduated from Shasta High School in 1970.
I have been married to David for 28 years. We are blessed with two exceptional children, Michael and Kristy. Michael and his family, including our two grandsons, live in Nebraska and he works as the Assistant General Manager for one of Wal-Mart’s largest distribution centers. Kristy and her husband live in Mississippi. They are both currently serving in the United States Air Force. Kristy’s accomplishments include; a three year tour of duty in Germany, two tours in Baghdad and she is soon to be the mother of our first granddaughter.
In my spare time, I enjoy golf, traveling, visiting our family and giving back to our community.
