Barton County Clerk Donna Zimmerman announced she will retire from the post she’s held since 1995. Her retirement will be effective Jan. 1, 2022. 

“It’s been a great job,” Zimmerman said. “I’ve loved it.”

She started her county service in December 1981 working in the Treasurer’s Office, moving to the Clerk’s Office in 1983. She was appointed clerk by then Governor Bill Graves 26 years ago.  

“My biggest regret is that by retiring before the end of my current term I will not be the longest-serving Barton County clerk,” she said. That record belongs to Ruth Painter who served a total of 28 years. 

“It has been a privilege to serve the voters of Barton County,” she said. “As your local elected official charged with conducting elections, it has been my priority to be transparent. Voters must have full confidence of our ability to conduct fair and impartial elections.”

The future

“I am excited to see what the next chapter holds for the County Clerk’s Office,” Zimmerman said. “But, I must admit I will sure miss working with my fellow coworkers.”

As for her successor, that will ultimately be up to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, she said. She has sent a letter to Kelly and, since she serves as a Republican, to Barton County Republican Committee Chairman Dick Friedeman.

Friedeman will then, within 21 days, call a convention of all Barton County Republican Precinct Committee members. They will elect a successor to fill the opening from those putting their hats in the ring.

The name of the person elected will be submitted to Kelly who has seven days to finalize the appointment. If no action is taken, the candidate automatically assumes the post.

Zimmerman has three years left on her term. But, due the timing of her retirement, should the new clerk wish seek a full term, he or she would have to file for the midterm election next fall.

Deputy Assistant County Clerk Bev Schmeidler has expressed an interest in the post.

A lot of changes

“There have been so many changes,” she said.

Zimmerman has participated in the transition from paper balloting to Opti-scan ballots, to electronic voting and now back to a hybrid system of electronic and plain paper ballots counted by precinct tabulator. The ever-changing environment is an exciting challenge for Zimmerman and her office, she said. 

In order to keep current with both technology and best practices, Zimmerman attended Wichita State University, Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs. Zimmerman completed the seven-year certification training, which included 148 hours devoted to Public Administration graduating with the designation of master certified county clerk. 

Zimmerman served as the president of the Kansas County Clerks’ and Election Officials’ Association as well as president of the South Central Kansas County Clerks’ and Election Officials’ Association. Zimmerman served on the Executive Board of Kansas Association of Counties as well as the on Executive Board of the Kansas County Officials Association. 

Locally, she has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Directors of the Great Bend Rotary Club.

“I am most proud of my record, my relationships with other municipalities in Barton County and throughout the State of Kansas and the fact that I never turned down an opportunity to help,” she said. Originally appointed County Clerk and Election Officer, she then agreed to serve as the county’s Freedom of Information Officer, the county’s Public Information Officer. She also took over the management of the fourth floor Records Department and has served as the assistant county administrator since May 2017. 

While she’s enjoyed the challenge, she said these additional duties have worn her down. This helped her opt for retirement now.

Family life

Zimmerman is married to husband Ray of 40 years. They have two children: a daughter, Sara Winegarner and husband Larry, Wichita, and a son, Cory Zimmerman and wife Katie, Great Bend. 

“We’re blessed with three granddaughters and recently welcomed a grandson,” she said. In addition, they have a step-granddaughter and a step-great-grandson. “We enjoy the time spent with family the most,” she said. This will be a focus during retirement.

She said she may also seek some sort of part-time employment. “I can’t just stay at home. I want to be engaged.”

Zimmerman was born in Larned to a father who was an educator. She moved around the state quite a bit as her dad held jobs with various school districts.