1-9-2023 Campaign Announcement 

 

It seems like just yesterday we were gearing up for a local election in New Kent. It was early 2019. My son, Charlie, was not even a year old! Fast forward to 2023. Charlie is now four and my daughter, Reagan is two. It is also time for yet another local election. Time sure does fly!

 

The past three years have been great! We have made great progress for your Treasurer’s Office. Some major accomplishments have been achieved.

 

Lifetime Dog Licenses - In 2020, I proposed a change in county ordinance that would eliminate the “annual” dog license and replace it with a lifetime license. This would lessen the license fee for most dog owners as well as remove the burden for dog owners to have to purchase a “tag” each year. Rabies vaccination would have to be kept current. This proposal was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors.

 

Updated Tax Payment Portal - Our tax payment site, www.NewKentTax.com was established. This new payment portal allowed the use of “eChecks” for payments with no additional processing charges associated with card payments. This option is becoming very popular and has allowed for greater efficiency of the Office. We have noticed a steep decline of taxpayers paying in person at the Office, resulting in shorter wait times for those who do. Of course, COVID-19 also played a role in this ongoing transition to online payments. This is a work in process and more updates are anticipated.

 

Master Governmental Treasurer Certification - I earned my Master Governmental Treasurer Certification from the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for public Policy in 2021. The designation program was developed to enhance the professionalism of local government officials and their staff. In addition, one Treasurer’s Deputy currently holds the Master Governmental Deputy Treasurer certification. All Treasurer’s Deputies are enrolled in the program.

 

Office Accreditation - In 2022, your Treasurer’s Office was fully accredited by the Treasurer’s Association of Virginia (TAV) for the first time in office history. Accreditation is a rigorous process that requires proof of continuing education such as attendance of an ethics course by the treasurer (or a principal officer) and educational requirements for all staff. Accredited offices are required to have written policies in place addressing areas such as personnel, customer service, and delinquent collections as well as pass an outside audit with no findings of material weakness. Receiving accreditation acknowledges that the office meets the statewide best practices for performance in treasury management.

 

2022 Virginia Treasurer of the Year - Also in 2022, I was awarded a top honor of Treasurer of Year by the TAV. This award recognizes a Treasurer who provides outstanding service in their locality and has gone above and beyond in their service to the Treasurer’s Association. The Treasurer of the Year Award is issued to one treasurer statewide at the Annual Meeting.

 

Boards and Commissions - I am honored to have been selected by my peers to currently represent them on the Treasurer’s Association Board of Directors where I also serve as Co-Chairman of the Technology and Innovations Committee.

 

I have also been elected to serve a three-year term on the Virginia Association of Counties / Virginia Municipal League’s Virginia Investment Pool Board of Trustees. This Board directs the investments of over $50 billion in assets from public bodies across Virginia (including New Kent County).

 

It has been a busy few years as we continually strive to improve your Treasurer’s Office. My Commitment to the Citizens remain stronger than ever and we have plenty more to accomplish. My door is always open, and I am always seeking suggestions and ideas. If you have any suggestions, feel free to reach out to me at any time.

 

This November, I will be seeking re-election as your Treasurer.

 

Thank you very much for your continued support!