Spokane County names chief deputy Michael Bowles acting treasurer effective Jan. 4; board to follow vacancy-appointment timeline

The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to appoint Michael (Mike) Bowles as acting official of the Spokane County Treasurer’s Office, effective Jan. 4, 2025 at 12:01 a.m.

The board considered a draft resolution prepared by county legal staff and discussed legal and procedural requirements that attach to a vacancy in an elected office. County counsel explained that, under current law (RCW 36.16.115 and related guidance cited in the meeting), the board has 60 calendar days from the date of resignation to appoint a replacement; if the board does not fill the vacancy in that window the appointment authority would revert to the governor for an additional 30 days. County legal staff also advised that, if the board appoints an interim to act in the office, state law limits interim appointees to deputies or employees who were in the office when the vacancy occurred.

Commissioners discussed practical considerations for naming an interim, including continuity for investment and contract activities handled by the treasurer’s office. Legal counsel advised the board that, while a chief deputy could act in a de facto capacity if no appointment were made, the county’s past practice has been to appoint an interim to avoid questions about signatory authority and to maintain continuity. Counsel noted the board historically has given an acting interim the treasurer’s salary while performing the interim duties.

The clerk circulated a draft resolution titled, in part, appointing an acting official to perform necessary duties in the Spokane County Treasurer’s Office until a successor is either elected or appointed as provided by law. The motion to adopt the resolution (with an effective date of Jan. 4, 2025 at 12:01 a.m.) was made on the record and seconded; the board opened the item for public testimony, received none, and voted to approve the resolution unanimously.

County staff explained next steps for filling the longer-term vacancy in the elected office: by state practice the relevant county political party will be notified and submit three nominees for the board’s consideration; the board will typically request background checks, internet searches, and court-record checks on nominees, place interview materials in a public packet, hold public interviews in open session, may discuss qualifications in executive session, and then vote in open session to appoint a replacement to serve until the next election. Commissioners noted the party in this case had scheduled a meeting to nominate candidates on Jan. 18; county counsel said the resignation date on the record starts the 60-day clock.

The board’s formal appointment of Michael Bowles as acting official appears intended to ensure uninterrupted operations in the treasurer’s office while the board follows the statutory process for filling the elected vacancy.