Sierra County Interviews Candidate for Auditor Position

DOWNIEVILLE — After the mid-term retirement of 27-year Auditor, Treasurer, and Tax Collector Van Maddox on June 24, Sierra County interviewed a potential replacement for the vacant Auditor position at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Anthony “Tony” Miller holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is pursuing a Certified Management Accountant license. He previously worked as a controller for Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho.

Although Miller had been interviewed by the Board privately before the meeting, appointing a candidate to an elected position mid-term requires a public interview. Board Chair Lee Adams asked standard interview questions, many of which had been answered earlier by Miller; a number of county employees also added their own questions.

Miller was born and raised in Minnesota before moving to Truckee with his now-wife at age 20. He has three children and is currently determining the best location for his family to live within Sierra County (candidates for elected positions must live within county limits, even when appointed). Miller says that he has a deep passion for community service of all kinds, so government work is a natural role for him.

Miller, who has a strong background in finance and operations, says that he has been diving into the unique financials of Sierra County and believes his experience at the Idaho hospital will translate well. The Auditor position is crucial for managing the county’s finances and ensuring transparency in government operations. Board members and county employees emphasized that the role involves detailed accounting work—unlike what a department head might do in larger organizations—and noted the county’s small staff. “I’ve come from environments wearing many hats... everyone needs to chip in... I have no interest in hanging out and being bored,” responded Miller.

The Board and county employees were especially interested in whether Miller could handle the county’s payroll. While curious about the specifics of the payroll setup, he says he has experience with systems ranging from “archaic” to modern. Miller says that he has a “slant towards continual improvement” in accounting systems and hopes to streamline processes, regardless of the system in place.

Miller believes his past work with non-profits will help him grasp the various funding streams and complicated money-moving required by California law. Still, he says he would not be surprised if it took him three budget cycles to fully grasp the role. Craig Goodman, an accountant the county contracted to assist with this year’s audit, explained that California may be the only state that “has its own way of doing everything.” Goodman clarified that good guides and references were available to help Miller get up to speed.

Following the meeting, the Board will debate the appointment. If a conditional offer is made, a background process will begin, followed by a final vote on the appointment. Miller concluded by thanking the Board and others present for their time, noting that replacing Maddox after his decades-long tenure offers a chance to bring in a fresh pair of eyes. If appointed, Miller’s term as Auditor would run through 2028, when a regular election for the position would occur.