Lori Yarbrough: Making Athol great again

The news coming from Athol these days has a decidedly different flavor than it did when Lori Yarbrough was appointed city clerk.

Yarbrough was hired in 2014 after Athol’s former clerk, Sally Hansen was fired amid a financial scandal at City Hall. Hansen was later sentenced to four years in prison for embezzling $417,879 from the city.

There was also a failed effort to recall the city council.

Now, with a new mayor, some new city council members, and new employees like Yarbrough at City Hall, the headlines coming from Athol, one of Kootenai County’s northernmost burgs, speak of possibilities for growth and revitalization.

City leaders are gearing up to make big decisions about how Athol will move forward. Will population growth be encouraged or will the city’s comprehensive plan be protective of Athol’s small-town, rural nature?

And community members are being asked to participate in making those decisions.

It’s an exciting time for Yarbrough, who said she loves her job.

“I believe that all of my past experiences — 10 years in banking, six years at Eastern Washington University in the controller’s office, two years at the Idaho Department of Labor, and my formal education — have all prepared me for my job here with the city,” Yarbrough said. “It’s a great fit, the city and I. I love what I’m doing here and couldn’t have a more perfect job right now. Of course good working relations with the city council and mayor all add to my happiness here.”

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It’s been just over two years since you were appointed Athol city clerk. What are your main duties?

I do pretty much everything since we only have two full-time employees here. We like to say Stephen Williams, our public works/water operator does everything outside and I, being both the clerk and the treasurer am responsible for everything indoors.

For me that includes performing a number of complex administrative duties that support the mayor and city council. City clerk duties include attending and recording city council sessions; preparing the agenda and information packets for council meetings and public hearings; providing customer service in person and by telephone; and maintaining current knowledge of the content of ordinances and matters affecting the city. I handle all public records requests. City treasurer duties include administration of the city budget, accounting, cash handling, and auditing. I also handle most of the human resources and personnel functions for the city. I supervise the part-time office staff and occasional community service workers. I have many bosses. I work under the general direction of the mayor and city council, with whom together, we ultimately are serving our community.

There was quite a bit of controversy in Athol city government when you came on board. Was it challenging stepping into the clerk’s role under the circumstances you encountered back in 2014?

Very much so! It was challenging to say the least. But, looking back on it now I think it’s become more of an opportunity to me, and an opportunity for the city. The city can now unite, evolve, and re-establish new goals. Controversy woke people up in this city. It has forced the elected officials and city staff to become more accountable. We have a great group of elected officials. They are becoming more educated, and use active listening when making decisions that affect the whole community. They encourage transparency and are open to ideas and conversations. They don’t always agree on the same things, and that is good, but more importantly, they find ways to agree to disagree and keep moving forward. The opportunity to me has been to utilize my education and past work experiences, while being a part of a great community and of course working so close to home.

Controversial issues pop up from time to time at any city hall, how does someone in your position stay out of the cross-fire?

This can be a tough area, as public perception always plays a role. But keeping the overall forefront of the city’s best interest in mind is very important. A city clerk/treasurer needs to remember that ultimately you are responsible to the city, not to individual elected officials, for the most part. When asked to take sides, beware and contact your attorney. They are your best ally. Be aware of all of the rules, enforce them as there are no favorites. I try to be impartial or neutral and treat everyone equally.

Do you feel the public’s trust in Athol City Hall has been restored?

No not yet, but I’d like to believe it is improving. It is always harder to gain one’s trust once it has been lost. Time and consistency will continue to heal this community. I believe the elected officials have learned the hard way that they need to be more vigilant in their actions, trusting me in the information I provide to them is only one piece of their jobs. They need to do their share of due diligence and fact-check me, read the information being presented to them, ask questions and understand it before making decisions. As for the citizens of Athol, it may take even longer as they weigh in on every experience they have or even sometimes hear about, with the city. I believe they will begin to heal and want to start taking a more proactive role in their community.

How is Athol a better place today?

I believe Athol is a great place with an even brighter future ahead. Taking the notion of being “pro-active and not-reactive” will continue moving Athol in a forward direction. We just finished participating in a community review done by the Idaho Rural Partnership. We have contracted a city planner and a new city attorney. We received a grant from DEQ for a water facilities plan. We are looking at trying for another grant for a transportation plan and we will likely begin the updating of our city’s comprehensive plan that is over 30 years old. Athol is a great place and it’s only going to get better.

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Maureen Dolan can be reached at

mdolan@cdapress.com or @MaureenCDAPress.