Donna Zimmerman, Barton County Clerk, announces she filed for re-election.
“I started my public service in late 1981, just shy of 35 years ago. In 1995 I was appointed County Clerk. It has been a privilege to serve as your County Clerk and Election Officer for the past 21 years.”   
As the local elected official charged with conducting elections, it is my priority to be transparent. Voters must have full confidence of my ability to conduct fair and impartial elections. I cannot do this alone. I have a staff of six full-time partners that work with me. Yes, partners. We have a common goal, serving you, to the best of our ability. In doing so, each member of our office, except the newly transferred Finance Officer, is well-versed in NVRA (the National Voter Registration Act) which included the “Motor Voter” bill making it easier for persons to register to vote, HAVA (the Help America Vote Act) an act providing improved accessibility to the ballot and polling locations and, finally, SAFE (the Safe And Fair Elections Act) which requires voters to provide photo ID when voting and citizenship requirements for new registrants.”    
“Elections are only a portion of my duties. Internally, I am Secretary to the Board of County Commissioners, attending all agenda meetings.  In addition, our office is responsible for finance, accounts payable, and recording the transfer of real estate, and motor vehicle tax distributions, among other duties. New to our office is the Finance Officer position. This position was transferred to the County Clerk’s Office at the request of the County Commission. As we move forward with computerized accounting, I will work closely with this official, in addition to other County officials, in assuring that County funds – your tax dollars – are used in a fiscally astute manner. That does not mean I am in charge of all budgets, it means I will continue to review, and report any abnormalities. I live here. I pay taxes here. I live on both sides of the tax issues as I not only pay taxes, but I also budget and spend local dollars in the operations that I oversee.”
“For local governments, I personally review the operating budgets submitted by all local taxing entities to include school districts, the community college, fire and hospital districts, cemeteries, libraries, cities and townships. I calculate and set tax levies and create tax abstracts and tax rolls. I also serve as both Barton County’s Public Information and Freedom of Information Officer. In serving in these rolls, I work closely with County officials. I have become well-versed in our most standard operations and I learn more each day about our departments. That’s one part of my job that I thrive on – nothing is ever the same and I have the opportunity to learn something new each day.”  
“In order to keep current with both technology and best practices, I am a regular attendee at the Kansas County Clerks’ and Election Officials’ Association certification classes offered by Wichita State University, Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs. I can proudly say I have completed the seven-year certification training, which included 148 hours devoted to Public Administration, Interpersonal Relations and various electives, earning me the designation of Master Certified County Clerk.”  
“I am a member and Past President of the Kansas County Clerks’ & Election Officials’ Association and member and Past President of the South Central Kansas County Clerks’ and Election Officials’ Association. I have served on the Executive Board of KAC (Kansas Association of Counties). Locally, I have been a member of the Board of Directors of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the Great Bend Rotary Club, a member of the Great Bend Pilot Club, and Habitat for Humanity. I am also a 1999 graduate of Leadership Great Bend.”
My husband, Ray of 35 years, and I are a homeowners in Great Bend. We have two children, a daughter, Sara Winegarner, and husband, Larry, Wichita, and a son, Cory Zimmerman and fiancé, Katie Lear, Great Bend. What I enjoy most is the time I spend with my three granddaughters, Makalyn, Sophie and Maddie.”
I am proud of my record. I am proud of my relationships with other municipalities in Barton County and throughout the State of Kansas. I am proud of the fact that I can honestly say I come to work each day striving to do my best, in the most transparent manner possible, for you. I ask for your continued support and your vote this year.”