Editors Note: This article was originally published in the Jan. 31, 2024 issue of the Chronicle Progress. Some information may be outdated.
Arnold steps down, sets stage for local GOP to choose new interim
Millard County Republicans are set to choose another interim treasurer after the person filling that position announced she was resigning a few weeks ago.
Deb Arnold sent an email to county officials on Jan. 8 announcing her resignation effective Jan. 12. No reason was provided for her departure, according to officials.
A phone message was left for Arnold on Monday. She did not respond.
County Commission Chairwoman Vicki Lyman said commissioners are set to take applications for a position at the treasurer’s office now that it is down a person.
Lyman said she believes Arnold resigned because she simply wished to retire. Arnold started working for Millard County in 2005.
Arnold replaced Sheri Dearden last summer when Dearden took a position as chief operating officer with the Utah Association of Counties. Dearden served as treasurer for about eight years.
When local GOP delegates selected Arnold as Dearden’s replacement during a special party convention, Arnold told the Chronicle Progress she was planning to run for a full term as treasurer when the candidate filing period opened up in early January.
However, instead of Arnold seeking the office, her deputy Kristine Camp ended up filing for the elected position. She is facing a primary opponent in Delta City treasurer Jody Anderson.
Both women will be considered during a special convention of county Republican delegates scheduled to take place on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Fillmore Middle School.
Though both are candidates in the Republican primary election in June, delegates can choose to nominate any local Republican to fill Arnold’s position, whether they are running for the office or not, Millard County Republican Party Chair Kim Cropper said.
“At the convention, I have to open it up and ask if anybody else is interested in the position,” she said, adding that a delegate can also nominate themselves. “They don’t have to be nominated by somebody else. It doesn’t even have to be seconded. If they are interested in the position, they get an opportunity to get up and speak and run for the interim position also.”
Cropper said she expects about 30 or more delegates will participate in the selection process, which is done by secret ballot with the votes counted right there during the meeting.
A list of delegates was provided to Camp and Anderson to provide them with an opportunity to lobby for support ahead of the meeting.
Arnold’s Jan. 8 email urged county officials to support Camp’s bid for the position. She told officials Camp, who Arnold appointed as her deputy treasurer, was well qualified to take over after her departure and was an excellent candidate to replace her.
Camp has worked for the county for 16 years.
Anderson has served as Delta City’s treasurer the last 12 years, with almost another dozen years working in that field. She said she chose to run for the office after Dearden left.
Asked for comment Monday, Anderson said she was surprised Arnold resigned.
“While Treasurer Arnold’s resignation was a surprise, I am thrilled and hopeful to be considered as a qualified interim replacement,” she said.
