County shuffles top jobs

She has agreed to become the interim finance director while the county seeks a replacement for Monica Morris, who left July 10 for a job in Hood River County.

“It’s wonderful because she’s been here working on other items within finance,” Wasco County Executive Assistant to Board of County Commissioners Kathy White said of Smith-Wagar at Wednesday’s meeting. “It’s very fortunate that there’s already a relationship there between her and the employees. I don’t think that it’s going to be as big of a hurdle.”

Smith-Wagar has more than 20 years of experience in local government accounting. She was most recently the assistant finance director for the City of Tigard, which she resigned in March after more than six years.

The board of commissioners unanimously approved Smith-Wager’s contract Wednesday.

As the interim finance director, White expects Smith-Wager to be in Wasco County three to four days a week.

She said the permanent position should be posted this week and close on July 31 with the intent to have someone hired in August.

The board of commissioners also appointed Lisa Gambee to replace county clerk Linda Brown, who is retiring after 36 years in the clerk’s office.

Gambee has her bachelor’s degree in graphic design and master’s in marketing.

She was most recently the director of marketing for InComm Digital Solutions in Portland for more than two and half years and previously held the same position at Giftango in Portland for over two years.

Gambee and her husband have owned a home in Tygh Valley for nearly 20 years and she is a founding member of the South Wasco Alliance.

Her first day as county clerk is Monday, July 20.

“We’re excited about her joining the team,” commissioner Rod Runyon said. “She’ll be a great addition.”