Anderson retires after 19 years as county assessor

Gina Anderson’s nearly two-decade tenure as the Big Horn County assessor ended earlier this week with a brief but heartfelt retirement recognition ceremony in the commissioners’ chambers.

“You are going to be greatly missed,” said Deb Craft, who chairs the commission.

Anderson took office at the end of 2006, the year she emerged from a three-way race for the Republican nomination and went on to be elected to replace Jackie Payne.

In a Dec. 29, 2025, letter to the commissioners, Anderson wrote, “Serving the people of Big Horn County has been an honor and a privilege. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and for the opportunity to serve the citizens of this great county.”

She asked that her retirement take effect Jan. 5, 2026. 

The commissioners accepted her resignation and approved a motion to declare a vacancy the following day.

The Big Horn County Republican Party will now be tasked with gathering applications and narrowing the candidate pool to three finalists. From there, the decision on whom to appoint will rest with the commission.

Whoever is chosen would need to run in the 2026 primary and general elections and be elected in order to continue serving.  Most county elected officials are up for election this year, the exception being Commissioner Bruce Jolley who has two years remaining.

Cozette Winters, who has been working in the assessor’s office, will serve in a lead role until the commissioners appoint Anderson’s interim successor.

At Tuesday’s ceremony, Craft told Anderson her graciousness, friendship and work ethic would be missed at the courthouse.

“The teamwork you showed with Nicki (Vigil) in the past year trying to save the public money by combining our tax notices to save paper and postage did not go unnoticed by the commission to try to help us with the budget,” Craft said. “We want to wish you luck on the new journey you’ll be having in your life.”

Serena Lipp, the clerk of the district court, and Lori Smallwood, the county clerk, credited Anderson for going the extra mile to help them, especially earlier in their tenures.

“You are just a rock here,” Lipp told Anderson, adding, “You were always the one that gave us guidance ... you really cared about helping us get our feet on the ground.”

Smallwood struck the same chord, describing Anderson as a mentor and saying she drew inspiration from the compassion, patience, grace and calm she exhibited while performing her job.

And Nicole Vigil, the county treasurer, quipped, “I’m going to miss that when people are yelling at me, I can send them to Gina and blame her for everything that happened.”