Carbon County treasurer to retire

After nearly four decades working for Carbon County, Treasurer Patty Bentsen is preparing to retire.

The announcement was tearfully delivered by Bentsen during the October 5 meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC). While the commissioners ultimately accepted Bentsen’s resignation, effective December 3, it was not without statements from Bentsen’s fellow elected officials.

“On May 13, 1985 Mary Aydelotte gave me an opportunity to become a part of (the) Carbon County workforce. During the course of the years, it has both been an honor, at times, and a nightmare to see the changes that have transpired. Lifelong friendships were formed and will never be forgotten,” Bentsen read from a prepared letter. “I cannot stress enough how very fortunate I am. I am blessed to have worked with such a county and an amazing board, along with the Carbon County clerk. Carbon County should be proud and honored to have this board representing the citizens of Carbon County.”

Bentsen finished her letter by stating after 36 (and a half) years she was retiring to spend time with her husband and her grandchildren and “carry on with this chapter called life”.

“I’m not very often in my life, at my age, at a loss for words. It’s been a pleasure. We thank you for your umpteen years of service and, as much as I don’t like the decision, I respect it and I respect you for doing what you need to do for you and your family,” said Chairman John Johnson. “Thank you for what you’ve done and godspeed.”

Though Bentsen has worked for Carbon County for more than 36 years, it wasn’t until 2018 when she was elected Carbon County Treasurer. Her predecessor, Cindy Baldwin, had retired as the county treasurer in 2017 following 39 years with Carbon County. Much like her predecessor, Bentsen received more than 90 percent of the vote in the 2018 General Election. Also like her predecessor, Bentsen has been one of the few registered Democrats to hold elected office in Carbon County in recent history. 

With Bentsen’s resignation, and it being an elected office, it is up to the Carbon County Democratic Party to interview potential candidates which will then be presented to the county commissioners for an appointment to the unexpired term. A similar scenario played out following the retirement of the late Paul Zamora as Carbon County Coroner. In that case, it was up to the Carbon County Republican Party to present a candidate, Brittany Nyman, to the BOCCC.

Carbon County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett told the commissioners she would inform the Carbon County Democratic Party of the upcoming vacancy and the request for candidates. Bartlett stated she believed a potential candidate could be presented by the December 7 meeting of the commissioners.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with you, Patty. I’ve appreciated how you’ve worked with me as a commissioner and how you’ve had the open door to your office so I could come and ask questions and be apprised of what was going on and your transparency that you’ve brought to that office along with bringing it into the 21st century,” said Commissioner John Espy. “It is noticed and appreciated by a lot of us in this county.”

Commissioner Travis Moore added, “You have done so many things. I am very proud to serve with you in the limited amount of time I’ve been on this board.”

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners will have met on October 19 at the Hanna Town Hall in Hanna.

The next meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners will be at 9 a.m. on November 2 at the Carbon County Courthouse in Rawlins.