Michelle Seeber
Woodward News
Woodward, Okla. —
Newly elected Woodward County Treasurer-Elect Sonya Coleman wants county residents to know that she will be bringing experience with her when she takes over the position currently held by Wilma Blaylock.
She has not only worked in the Woodward County treasurer’s office for 12 years, but she previously spent 15 years with the Central National Bank of Alva where she balanced cash for 13 tellers at a bank among other duties, she said.
“There are all kinds of compliance issues and auditors you deal with in the banking system that are similar to the treasurer’s office,” she said. “The banking experience brings a lot to it.”
Currently at the treasurer’s office, Coleman, 53, is the deputy treasurer and is in charge of the appropriation ledger and balancing cash accounts, she said.
With her background, Coleman said she is prepared for her new position, which she would normally take over at the beginning of the next year.
However, Blaylock is set to retire on Aug. 31 after serving as Woodward County Treasurer for 6 years. This means Coleman could potentially take over the position on Sept. 1, but it depends on whether Woodward County Commissioners will appoint her to serve the remainder of Blaylock's unexpired term.
But whenever she takes office, Coleman doesn't plan on making a lot of changes.
“We’ve not had a problem with the way things have been,” she said. “The treasurer has done a really good job. Things have already changed with computer technology.”
“It used to be everything was on paper,” she said. “Now it’s computerized. But as far as changes the public may be interested in, the public is welcome to make a suggestion.”
“The main thing is to operate the office efficiently within our budget,” Coleman said. “We send out 25,000 statements a year, and a little bit extra costs a lot. If you do make changes, you have to consider that. The budget is not extravagant at all.”
Coleman said she is “really excited” about her new position.
“I worked really hard and it’s what I was working toward,” she said. “I’m grateful for the help I’ve had from family and co-workers and from the community.”
