Candidate profiles: Treasurer

TREASURER

Cathy Smith (D)

Age: 45

Education: Ph.D. studies in human resource development & management; M.S. degree in engineering; Executive M.B.A. program coursework in accounting and finance; B.S. and A.S. in Technology

Experience: More than 25 years of professional experience in project engineering, engineering economic and financial management and college teaching; currently serves as Monroe County government financial director, managing 182 different monetary funds, including the County General Fund, for 46 different government departments; thorough understanding of county and local government property taxation, the formulas and algorithms necessary for taxation computations and multiple tax unit financial funding operations.

Web site: www.cathysmithfortreasurer.com

Top priorities if elected: Property taxes: Increase public understanding of complex computations by creating clearly understandable tax bills and training office staff to explain the necessary mathematics to taxpayers; hold monthly public forums explaining processes, deductions, exemptions and state tax replacement credits; Investing county funds: Make the county investment portfolio public so taxpayers know where the money is.

Why running: “My passion lies in enriching lives and strengthening communities, and my strength resides in my ability to inspire, empower and partner with stakeholders. I believe real and significant positive change can be accomplished when you embrace opportunities and challenges with an educated mind, respect for others and a heart for service.”

Barbara Clark (R)

Age: 80

Education: High school diploma; courses in IU’s continuing education program for government finances, leadership and administration.

Experience: Previously treasurer for 10 years; auditor for eight years; treasurer again for four years.

Web site: None

Top Priorities if elected: “To try to get tax bills back on the May 10 and November 10 due dates. The past three years’ tax collections have been collected late. This process would need to start with our legislators making change during their sessions in the spring that affect the current year, and then county offices meeting deadlines. Also, to continue to obtain the highest interest possible on allowable investments, and continue to provide quality customer service and to investigate areas to improve payment processes without costing the taxpayers additional fees.”

Why you are running? “Been a public servant for over 20 years and enjoy serving the residents of Monroe County.”