Scurry County Commissioners accepted a resignation letter from Scurry County Youth Center director Ericka Dowds and appointed a new county treasurer Friday.
“This career has blessed me and my family in so many ways. It would be impossible to name them all, but the biggest blessing has been the opportunity to be part of something so amazing,” Dowds said in her resignation letter. “This team, both my immediate staff and the county employees I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside, truly feel like family to me.”
Dowds offered to help during the transition. Commissioners voted to accept applications for the post and may name a replacement at their July 7 meeting.
After meeting in closed session for about 20 minutes, commissioners named Kirsta Koennecke the new county treasurer.
Koennecke will replace Nelda Colvin, who announced her retirement at the May 19 commissioners meeting. Colvin had been county treasurer for 19 years and a Scurry County employee for 35 years.
Koennecke had worked as first assistant to County Auditor Angela Sanchez and sits on the board of directors of the Development Corporation of Snyder.
“I am very honored,” Koennecke said of the appointment. “I appreciate the confidence that they (commissioners) placed in me, and I have big shoes to fill. I hope that I can do the office justice, and accomplish what I’m there for.”
Commissioners also extended the current declaration of disaster concerning the COVID-19 pandemic for an additional 30 days.
Commissioners also approved accounts payable of $901,546. There were no line-item transfers or budget amendments.
After they already voted to do so during their previous meeting, Gayle Summers once again urged commissioners to consider requiring county employees to pay a portion of their health insurance premiums.
“I still think the employees should be liable for paying a portion of their own health insurance,” Summers said. “There are small companies and large corporations that are doing this.”