Republican:  El Paso County, CO TREASURER  CANDIDATES

What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Treasurer that will benefit our county?

I was re-elected to a second term as the Clerk and Recorder in 2018 where I have managed elections, motor vehicle, driver’s license and recording transactions. Annually our office collects $180 million dollars in taxes and fees. I have worked 20 years in the fast-paced and rapidly changing semiconductor field at companies such as NCR, AT&T, Hyundai, Symbios Logic, and LSI. I have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and an Associate’s Degree in Electromechanical Engineering. Each of those businesses’ experiences have heightened my aptitude for working in an ever-changing and fast-paced environment. Over the years I have developed a strong respect for the customer and realized the importance of treating staff with dignity and respect.

What is your vision for being our County Treasurer?

Taxes, fees, and regulations should be limited to those that are necessary to perform those essential services that only government can provide. Every dollar of taxes and fees ends up raising the end cost of delivering a product or service by four dollars. Government should look at fees and taxes from the prism of does it affect housing affordability. I am not a status quo guy. I look for constant improvement in how we deliver services. My leadership skills, innovative thinking and hard work has brought many accolades and awards to my office. My office has been the benchmark for other offices across the country. Our citizens deserve the very best of county can offer.

What are the biggest challenges for the El Paso County Treasurer and the Treasurer’s office, and how do you plan to address them moving forward?

Changing the culture of “we have never done it that way” to one were we embrace the idea of “What can we do to assist you today!”

What changes, if any, will you implement as Treasurer?

The Treasurer’s office is composed of hard-working knowledgeable employees. They need a leader that will guide, inspired, and mentor them. I am that person. I will replace the antiquated system with top-notch processes and make customer service a top priority. I will do all this while maintaining a fiscally conservative approach to budget matters. I will explore the possibilities of citizens paying their property taxes via quarterly or monthly payments. This could assist in allowing more opportunities for citizens to stay in their homes thus adverting foreclosures or tax lien sales. Examine the abilities of self-service kiosks as a method for citizens to pay their taxes and fees.

How and why does the Treasurer conduct an annual tax sale?

A tax lien sale is a process the State of Colorado uses to require an owner to pay unpaid taxes. It gives homeowners a chance to pay those taxes along with penalty fees. The process works like this:

• A property owner neglects to pay his or her taxes.
• A waiting period initiates.
• The unpaid taxes are auctioned off at a tax lien sale. The highest bidder gets the lien against the property.
• The tax collector uses the money earned at the tax lien sale to compensate for unpaid back taxes.
• The homeowner has a period to pay back or cure the lien, plus interest, or face foreclosure.

What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Treasurer that will benefit our county?

I am currently the Deputy Treasurer, and have worked in the Treasurer’s Office for the past 20 years and deeply care for the citizens of El Paso County and the staff within our office. This experience gives me the best understanding of how to balance the statutory collection of property taxes with compassion and understanding of WHO we are collecting these taxes from.

What is your vision for being our County Treasurer?

To continue providing a level of customer service which is unique to the Treasurer and Public Trustee Offices. I know of no other office where we work directly with citizens who may be losing their property through foreclosure or unpaid taxes. I will continue to provide a desirable working environment to retain knowledgeable and experienced staff to best serve the citizens of El Paso County.

What are the biggest challenges for the El Paso County Treasurer and the Treasurer’s office, and how do you plan to address them moving forward?

Technology and Cyber Security are the biggest challenges. We are in the end stages of a computer conversion which has proven to be extremely challenging for a county of our size. I will work my hardest to continue to keep up with the ever-changing advances in technology especially when it comes to providing convenient, secure payment options and disbursement of funds to the taxing entities.

What changes, if any, will you implement as Treasurer?

Aside from the completion of the computer conversion, no changes are needed. The policies and procedures of the Treasurer and Public Trustee Offices are set by Statute. Both Offices are running efficiently with experienced and knowledgeable staff.

How and why does the Treasurer conduct an annual tax sale?

Taxing entities rely on the collection of taxes to operate. A statutory process is followed to offer unpaid taxes as tax liens at public auction. The purchase of a tax lien pays the districts the tax and interest amount owed to them. In essence, the tax lien purchaser is “loaning” the property owner money to pay their taxes by placing an interest bearing lien on the property.