First, I would like to thank the voters for your continued support in the past elections, and I look forward to serving the Citizens of Sherburne County in the future. My 28 years of experience in the office has added many attributes to the numerus functions that are performed within the Auditor-Treasurer’s office.

 

It takes a collaborative effort from all the departments within the County to make Sherburne County one of the most efficient run counties in the State of Minnesota and I take pride in serving the residents of Sherburne County.

 

Going forward I’d like to improve on our bond rating from AA+ to AAA thus earning a lower interest rate on future bonds saving the taxpayers money. To ensure funds are being invested to maximize safe investment earnings in conformance with federal, state, and other legal requirements according to Minnesota State Statutes. To have yearly tax forfeited land sales to return properties to the tax rolls.

 

I applied for a Drainage Ditch modernization grant that was used to get the County’s Ditch records scanned and to have them in a searchable format for use by County employees, and eventually will be getting them on line for the public as well.

 

I was instrumental in getting the tax statements and property information available to our taxpayers on line. I also invested in technology to scan the tax payments into the tax system instead of hand keying, thus reducing the number of staff by one, saving the taxpayers additional dollars.  

 

I’d like to improve on ways to simplify voting procedures for voters especially the handicapped and seniors. 

 

My mission to the residents of Sherburne County is, “to execute the duties of the County Auditor-Treasurer by State Statute and as assigned by the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners, in an efficient manner, provide optimum service to our customers, maintain a current knowledge of laws and regulations relating to Auditor-Treasurer’s responsibilities and meet obligations with integrity.”

 

 

I am a 22 year, retired Minnesota Army National Guard Major. I have degrees in business administration and economics.  I have over 11 years' experience with Federal and State budgets as the Minnesota Funeral Honors Coordinator.  I am a Boy Scout leader/volunteer and am very active at Resurrection Church in Monticello.   My family has been in the Big Lake area for over 24 years.  All three of my sons graduated from Big Lake High School.  My wife worked in the school district as a paraprofessional working with students that needed extra help. 

 

The auditor position at Sherburne County is an elected position.  Government needs to be challenged to be able to change.  If the people don't run for political office, then the government becomes stagnant like a swamp.  It also is not a representative government. 

 

IF no one challenges the incumbents that are sitting in the public office, then the government is not for the people.  It becomes self-important and loses the focus of being for the people it servers.  That is the reason I am running for the Auditor/Treasurer position for Sherburne county. 

 

My top three priorities if elected are:

 

Top Down evaluation of each department of Sherburne County. To include expenses and personnel;

 

Transparency of the county to the public, look for ways for the public to be able to participate in county government by making government information more accessible to the public;

 

Changing/updating the election process. 

 

Looking at the current dates for elections from the townships to the County itself looking to simplify and bring into line the election process for the county.