Who is your county treasurer?

County treasurers in all of Ohio's 88 counties have traditionally served as the local tax collector. However, tighter budgets and increasing demands at the local level have changed the face of the position of county treasurer and increased expectations for this important occupation.

Today's treasurer serves as the county's chief investment officer, the administrator of sophisticated delinquent tax collection programs and the keeper of property tax escrow accounts. As a result, those that hold this position must be individuals who are highly trained in investment, cash management and financial planning strategies to properly manage and safeguard local funds.

Treasurers' Roles and Responsibilities

County treasurers, who are elected to four-year terms, serve as the county banker, safe keeper of all taxes and investor of local funds. The responsibilities of county treasurers include:

• Collection of local taxes, particularly the real property and personal property taxes. They are also responsible for taxes on manufactured homes, inheritance, hotel-motel and special assessments.

• Safekeeping of taxes collected in taxing districts such as schools, cities, townships and villages.

• Preparation of daily and monthly financial statements of deposits submitted to the County Auditor.

• Investment of undisbursed funds to earn revenue for the general operating fund.

• Service on the County Investment Board to provide financial data, investment instruments, financial forecasting, and current and future interest rate schedules.

• Oversight of complaints from property owners who feel their property taxes are too high.

• Approval of spending levels for schools, cities and townships.

• Assessment of computer needs for the county.