There was a festive atmosphere at the Kay County Treasurer’s office in Newkirk June 29. Employees from across the Kay County Administration Building and Extension Office gathered at 2 p.m. for punch, cake and cookies, wishing County Treasury Secretary Christi Kennedy the best of wishes as she seeks a new life in retirement.

Her last day was Friday, June 30. Deputy Secretary Rhonda Stephens will be sworn into office as the new Secretary ahead of the Board of County Commissioners meeting Monday, July 3.

It was an emotional day for Kennedy and her staff, as she has spent the past 25 years in the treasurer’s office.

“I’ve had an exceptional staff, and have always felt very blessed to call Kay County home,” she reflected earlier that morning.

County office wasn’t originally on her radar, and she never even studied finance or accounting in college. Rather, it was a previous job in Ponca City that gave her the skill set for the position, that being at Walmart.

“I worked for Walmart for 16 years, and my last job there was manager of the tire and auto center, which gave me the tools to use in financing, management, working with the public, skills I felt are a good background,” she said. “When I became treasurer, I had time management, prioritization and delegation skills.”

While she enjoyed Walmart, it wasn’t what she wanted to do the rest of her life, and in 1998, began searching for something special.

“I decided to look for my dream job, and I stumbled upon a part-time position in the treasurer’s office in the courthouse,” she said. “I decided to take it and become acquainted with that line of work, having no idea where it would lead me.”

She began her work under then Treasurer Pat Schieber, and she would soon rise within the courthouse office, quickly being hired full time.

“I was fortunate that Pat Schieber pretty quickly hired me full time and made me second deputy, and even first deputy in a job I love and have always found fortunate to have,” she said.

She would succeed Schieber as Kay County Treasurer in March 2007 The Kay County Accessor’s office determines the value of properties across the county, and it is the Treasurer’s office’s job to collect those taxes.

“We are the tax collectors and bank for the county, as well as hold two tax sales a year for delinquent properties,” she said.

Part of the job is making sure the county’s finances are proper.

“I’m responsible for making sure every penny is accounted for,” she said. “One of the most important things is making sure the county funds are properly collected through the bank, making sure all our money is safe, and working closely with the schools, the cities and towns and the health department, because they receive a lot of the funds, too.”

The schools are the most important part of tax distribution.

“Eighty percent of them go directly to schools, so we make sure they get their funds in a timely manner,” she said.

Assisting the tax-paying community is a major part of their community service.

“Serving the tax payers is a big responsibility that I’ve always taken seriously,” she said. “Anytime they come into the office, they are greeted immediately. When our phone rings, it is answered immediately on the first ring.”

Deputy Secretary Stephens will be filling the role as county treasurer, and Kennedy is proud of her service to Kay County and the Treasure’s office.

“It has been very exciting to work with Rhonda Stephens, growing and seeing her very prepared to be our next Kay County Treasurer,” she said. “There is no one more hard working, dedicated, and loyal, too, and we are very blessed that she will be in that position, and she will be surrounded by an excellent staff that has served the county for many years.”

Stephens is ready to fill the role as the new face of the Kay County Treasurer’s office, having worked for the office for 22 years.

“I’ve been in the position of first deputy, so I learned a lot of things each day; she taught me so much on her end of what she does on a day-to day basis,” Stephens said. “Her work ethic has been passed to me, and I’m really grateful for that. It’ll be a challenge, but I’m excited.”

Kennedy has done so much for the Kay County taxpayers, but it may be her fellow workers, not just a Stephenson, but those who worked with her on a daily basis, who have the most praise to offer, and the most to miss as she enters retirement.

“I’m going to miss her; she has been great for the county,” Election Board Secretary Carol Leaming said. “She has been a great asset to Kay County and we will miss her.”

Kay County Clerk Tammy Reese added, “I feel very fortunate that through the years I have been able to work with someone I can trust and respect. She will be remembered as a positive role model and a great encourager, not only to me but to all she worked with. I will miss working alongside her. Christy may be retiring but she has left a great example of what leadership looks like, she was genuine and confident. Her leadership will be missed. Christy was not only my colleague; she was my friend,” Reese said. “To my friend, I would like to express, ‘Job well done.’”