Kathleen Courtney, COA account clerk, is retiring after 39 years with the facility, COA Executive Director Tammy Pennington told Barry County Commissioners Tuesday.

The COA is hosting a retirement party for Courtney on June 23 from noon to 2:30 p.m. “We’re going to miss her, she’s been here a long time.” Pennington said. “She plans to go east and spend more time with her grandchildren.”

“A hardworking dedicated public servant,” Courtney oversaw a budget that grew from a modest $175,000 to more than $1.6 million, a resolution honoring her service said.

For 15 years she helped low income, older Barry County adults apply for federal and state tax credits during income tax time. Courtney also helped establish the Medicare Medicaid Assistance program in the county, directing a team of six highly trained volunteers who counsel hundreds of enrollees in the programs annually. She also helped establish a Pet Meals on Wheels program with the Barry County Humane Society.

The resolution, recommended for adoption by the full board, said on behalf of the citizens, the commission “extends its sincere appreciation to Kathleen Courtney for her years of dedicated service, and wishes her many years of  health, happiness and success in her future endeavors.”