A committee reviewing applications for Pierce County auditor will meet at 1 p.m. today in the County Council Chambers, Room 1045, County-City Building, 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma.

The five-member committee – headed by incoming County Council Chairman Roger Bush – will recommend three finalists to the council. Council attorney Susan Long said the council received 13 “complete and timely” applications for the job.

The county is not releasing applicants’ names, and the committee might discuss their qualifications in closed session. But it will pick the three finalists in open session. The council is scheduled to appoint a new auditor Jan. 13.

The Auditor’s Office is vacant because former Auditor Pat McCarthy resigned to become county executive. Last month the council approved a nonpartisan process for selecting a replacement for McCarthy.

Local Democrats are disputing the process, claiming that because McCarthy was twice elected as a Democrat that the council must select an auditor from among three candidates nominated by the party. The Democrats have nominated Katie Blinn, assistant director of elections for the Washington Secretary of State’s Office; Tacoma City Councilwoman Julie Anderson; and Beckie Summers-Kirby, who served two terms as vice chairwoman of the local party and has served on the Tacoma library board.

One person who isn’t among the 13 applicants: County Councilman Shawn Bunney, R-Lake Tapps.

Bunney considered applying for the job. But he said Tuesday that he will remain on the council and hopes to become chairman of the Economic and Infrastructure Development Committee.

Though he’s bowing out for now, Bunney will have other opportunities. Whoever wins the council’s appointment must stand for election next November and again in November 2010.

“I think the auditor is a good job,” Bunney said. “It’s one I’ll continue to consider in the future.”

David Wickert: 253-274-7341

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