Barb Poley

After serving four terms as the Park County treasurer, Barb Poley is running for Park County commissioner.

She’s the second announced challenger, along with fellow Cody Republican Tim Lasseter, for the three available spots. Among the incumbent Republican commissioners, Scott Steward said he is planning to run again, while Dossie Overfield will not be seeking another term. Commissioner Lloyd Thiel has not yet announced his intentions.

Poley, who has served as treasurer for 16 years, said it was hearing that Overfield would not be running again that made her interested in a commission seat.

“That’s one of the reasons that led me, because I knew that that opening was there and, you know, it would be a good fit for me,” Poley told the Tribune, adding that she’s always been interested in the commissioners as she’s worked closely with them over the years on budgets. “I really decided to go for it.”

At the same time that Poley announced her run for the commission, Poley’s first deputy, Anne Lawler, announced her intention to run for the treasurer role.

Poley brings the knowledge from four terms as the
treasurer, including collecting county revenue in the form of property and mineral taxes as well as motor vehicle tax and registration to annual budget discussions. Beyond the commissioners, she said she has built strong relationships with various county departments and understands their budget needs.

“I am so humbled and blessed to have been entrusted by the people of Park County to serve as their treasurer for nearly two decades,” Poley said in a release. “I am very proud of the work accomplished and the progress my staff and I have made for the office. I know how to evaluate costs, ask tough questions and protect public dollars. I understand our long-term needs and will prioritize practical solutions that serve the whole community.”

Poley said she’s delivered clean audits, accurate reporting and transparent financial management. Now she aims to bring that knowledge to the commissioners during a time where there are more potential financial challenges on the horizon, such as a ballot measure this fall where voters will be asked if they want to cut residential property taxes in half.

However, Poley said there was some good financial news out of the recent legislative session, as House Bill 107, Local Government Distributions, will assist and stabilize county finances.

Beyond financial matters, Poley said she’s eager, if elected, to learn more about the county’s new land use plan and still-underway amended regulations process and all that entails. She also would love the opportunity to serve as a liaison on a variety of boards around the county.

“There’s a lot to learn,” Poley said Monday. “I mean, I know a lot of what the financial end of the county is and how it works. But there’s a lot to the commissioners that I don’t think people realize all the things they do.”

She’s also a proponent of public lands and said she appreciated a majority of legislators reaffirm in the session a desire not to sell federal lands.

Poley is a lifelong member of the Park County community, graduating from Cody High School and Northwest College. She and her husband Ken have lived in Park County for the 43 years of their marriage, raising two sons and welcoming seven grandchildren.

Prior to her service as treasurer, Poley spent 32 years in the banking industry, lastly as a bank manager.

She is also a graduate and current steering committee member of Park County Leadership Institute and has served as a member of the Cody Country Ambassadors and as board members for local chapters of Soroptimists and the American Red Cross. She is also a past president of both the Wyoming Association of County Treasurers and Wyoming Association of County Officials.

Poley is an active Republican, serving as a precinct committeewoman and a member of the Park County Republican Women.

“I understand the values that make Park County special because I live them every day,” she said.

The formal filing period for county offices opens on May 14 for Republicans and Democrats.