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Cedar County Treasurer race: Smith v Jedlicka
News · October 31, 2014
The Tipton Conservative posed several questions to Cedar County Treasurer candidates Gary Jedlicka and Barb Smith
in advance of the Nov. 4 election. The candidates were allowed to write as much as they wished.
Gary Jedlicka
Background: I am a third-generation lifelong resident of Cedar County. I have three children and six grandchildren. I am a member of the Tipton Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and St Mary’s Church, Tipton. I am a Tipton High School graduate and have a bachelors degree from the University of Northern Iowa. I plan to continue as the Cedar County Treasurer and run the office as efficiently as I have for the past nine terms.
1. How would you describe the primary functions of the office?
My office processes motor vehicle transfers and renewals, property tax payments and drivers license renewals in addition to helping customers at the counter and answering phone calls.
2. Do you believe that the services provided by the office are being delivered to the public in an efficient manner?
The services provided by my office are most definitely delivered to the public in an efficient manner. We offer superior prompt service to our customers.
3. Please describe your qualifications for the position.
My qualifications include my Bachelor’s Degree from UNI and 36 years’ experience in managing the office and investing our Cedar County tax dollars. I have a vast knowledge of the community and understand what is important to our residents and voters.
4. Tell us how you feel about the consolidation of county services with other counties.
I am definitely not a supporter of our county services being consolidated with other counties. We need to keep our services local for our residents.
If we consolidate with larger counties, our residents will have to travel farther to do the same business we offer here and then we risk losing our small businesses in our community. We need to remember to shop local first.
5. Please provide a brief summary of why you want to serve as county treasurer.
I want to continue to serve as the Cedar County Treasurer as I have in the past. My office offers excellent customer service to our residents of Cedar County while following the rules and regulations that are mandated by the State of Iowa.
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Barb Smith
Background: I am a 32-year-old mother of two boys, Nathan is 8 and Blake is 2. I have lived in Tipton for the last eight years and this is where I plan to continue raising my children. I received a degree from Hamilton Technical College. After completing my degree, I was employed by Doors Incorporated in Davenport as a project manager. I worked in the Cedar County Treasurer’s Office as a Clerk for almost four years, then worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation in Iowa City as a driver’s license clerk. I then was employed as Assistant to the Office Manager at Billion Automotive in Iowa City. For the last two years I have been employed with the Cedar County Assessor’s Office as a clerk2/exemption specialist.
My future plans consist of continuing to raise my children here in Cedar County. I plan to continue working for Cedar County. My ultimate goal is to have the opportunity to serve the Cedar County citizens as the County Treasurer.
1. How would you describe the primary functions of the Treasurer’s Office?
Collect property taxes, including drainage, mobile homes, and city specials. Prepares and conducts the annual tax sale for the collection of delinquent taxes. Distributes all tax collections to schools, cities, and all other taxing and other government agencies.
Collects and receipts all other county office fees and maintains the bank accounts for the various county funds. Prepares reports for the State of Iowa and Department of Transportation. Responsible for banking, cash management and investments. Collects tax on title transactions for the Department of Revenue and Finance.
Issues vehicle titles, license plates, registrations and registration renewals. Issues junking certificates and dealer titles. Record and release security interests and process refund claim forms. Issue drivers licenses, identification cards, duplicate licenses, handicap placards, and administers computer and driving tests. Responsible for making semi-annual reports to the Board of Supervisors.
Clarification on who figures the tax rate:
The Auditor calculates the tax rates for all taxing entities in the county (schools, cities, townships, etc.). By applying taxes levied by those entities to the valuation of each property as determined by the Assessor and then prepares a tax list showing each taxpayer’s share of the total. These figures are then certified to the County Treasurer’s Office.
2. Do you believe that the services provide by the office are being delivered to the public in an efficient manner?
I believe that all elected official for Cedar County are here to serve the public in the best way possible. One way I would like to do that is to talk the citizens of Cedar County. During my campaign I have spoken to the citizens at great length. It appears there is a need and interest to have the Drivers License Service open on Fridays and that is something I would do immediately upon my successful election.
When most people choose to take a day off work, they generally take Friday off so they can have a long weekend and run errands. All other Cedar County offices are open regular hours on Fridays.
I plan to be an active treasurer on a daily basis. I believe I can help the current staff with their daily workload to make this a smooth transition.
With my knowledge and experience, I can continue to strengthen the outstanding office staff that is in place. They have many years of experience and knowledge. I would continue to look for opportunities to cross-train and increase the responsibilities and the duties of the office. My belief is well-trained employees who understand all different aspects of the position greatly benefit the citizens of our community. I plan to use current technology to continue to improve the office efficiency and customer service.
3. Please describe your qualifications for the position.
My employment history has given me the valuable knowledge, qualifications, and experience this position requires and deserves. I began serving you, the citizens of Cedar County, in the treasurer’s office as a clerk for almost four years. My duties included: issuing driver’s licenses, driving permits, handicapped placards, administering computer testing, renewed vehicle and trailer registrations, transferred motor vehicle titles for the public and car dealers. I collected and processed property tax payments.
I have been employed with Iowa Department of Transportation as a driver’s license clerk, where I had the opportunity to work with the public and gain more experience and knowledge from a large driver’s license station. I also worked for Billion Automotive as an Assistant to the Office Manger, which allowed me to gain additional work experience and knowledge with motor vehicle transactions. I currently work for the Cedar County Assessor’s Office as a clerk 2/exemption specialist and have been in that position for two years. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about assessments, levies, rollbacks, tax credits, exemptions, legal descriptions, and problem solving, which has allowed me to gain additional knowledge of the property tax process.
Change can be difficult, but a good thing. It can be very productive in any organization to have a new set of eyes reviewing practices and procedures with the ultimate mission of serving the citizens of our county. I look forward to that opportunity and can promise you I will do everything I can to be an active participant within the county and to make sure the citizens needs are being met.
Clarification on the State of Iowa requirements/qualifications to run for Cedar County Treasurer: You have to be a citizen of the United States and Iowa resident at time of election, and a resident of the county when sworn in, and 18 at the time of the election.
4. Tell us how you feel about consolidation of county services with other counties.
I do not agree with the consolidation of county services with other counties. If Cedar County would consolidate with one of the larger counties it would be an inconvenience and the biggest question is how is this going to affect the Cedar County taxpayers? There is no guarantee how far anyone would have to drive to get county services and who knows if the current Cedar County employees would still have a job or not? What would happen to the Cedar County Courthouse? The larger counties do not have a driver’s license Station in their courthouse because they have a State Driver’s License office that the citizens go to.
5. Please provide a brief summary of why you want to serve as County Treasurer.
I believe Cedar County needs a Treasurer who will be actively engaged in the operations and management of the office on a daily basis. I want the citizens of Cedar County to know who I am and know that I am an active participant within my office.
I believe communication is a very important role when working with all of the offices within the county government. If I am elected, I feel that working as a team with all of the county offices is most beneficial for the taxpayers of our county. The citizens of Cedar County should expect to receive the highest level of customer service possible.
If I am elected I want the public to know if they have any questions or concerns they are more than welcome to contact me. Cedar County voters should vote Barb Smith for treasurer because I will put the taxpayers’ best interest first. I think 2015 would be a great opportunity for the treasurer’s office to grow and I would appreciate your support!
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