Two candidates are running for Kosciusko County Treasurer’s office for the 2012 term. The candidates were asked to submit a biography and answer the question “what you do hope to accomlish during your term?”

Incumbent Sue Ann Mitchell is seeking her second term as treasurer and is a member of the Republican party. Sarah McKinley is seeking the seat under the Democratic party ticket.

Mitchell has already spent a combined 35 years in government positions including Tippecanoe Township Clerk, Tippecanoe Township Assessor, Kosciusko County Assessor, Kosciusko County Y2K Coordinator and Kosciusko County Auditor. She is a graduate of the Applied Business Academy in Indianapolis.

Why are you running for county treasurer?
Mitchell: “I am seeking a second term as the Kosciusko County Treasurer because I enjoy the daily challenges that come with being a public servant. I continue to enjoy helping the taxpayer with whatever their issues are in a courteous and prompt manner.

McKinley: No response.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term?
Mitchell: There are several important issues facing county treasurers at this time. As the chairwoman of the Indiana County Treasurer’s Legislative Committee I am aware of several legislative issues facing county treasurer’s and counties in general.

The continued foreclosure of properties with banks not taking title to the properties has come to the forefront affecting tax sale properties. In my first term as county treasurer, I found additional ways for taxpayers to make tax payments including the use of credit cards over-the-counter and over the phone sharing the same system the auditor and recorder implemented. I continue to search for a company that would not charge a service fee for the use of debit cards.

Kosciusko County has approximately 4,000 mobile homes. As county treasurer, I have adopted a policy that no mobile homes will be transferred without the mobile home title being presented. Unpaid property taxes are turned over to a collection agency. Legislation is being proposed to do the same with mobile homes as what is done with real property including selling the mobile homes for unpaid property taxes.

I am in the process of implementing an outside drop box for the payment of property taxes for the after hours convenience of local taxpayers in addition to the drop box located outside the Treasurer’s Office inside the courthouse during business hours for those few days prior to tax deadlines.

I will continue to counsel with taxpayers reference making incremental monthly or weekly payments toward their tax liability. Payments on property taxes are accepted at any time and in any amount until parcels become delinquent to the tax sale or judgment status. Making monthly payments can help ease the tax bill burden for many taxpayers living on set incomes or those wanting to spread their payments over several months.

I will continue to mail tax bills well in advance of the 15 days required by law in a combined effort with the county assessor to provide assessments and the county auditor to provide tax rates. I will continue to search for the most rapid method of processing property tax payments because that is important to all units of government in the county. I will continue to research additional ways to increase the efficiencies of the treasurer’s office.

I will continue to make the treasurer’s page of the Kosciusko County web site a tool that the public can use 24/7 to gain information reference the Treasurer’s Office procedures. I believe continuing to make the public aware of the items displayed on the web site will result in better informed taxpayers. I will continue the email notice to those that have requested the service in advance of tax bills being due. The notice includes general information on the payment of property taxes. The information is displayed on the tax bill indicating the service is available by email request.

McKinley: No Response.