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They say time flies when you're having fun! Tuesday marked one year since I took office as Columbiana County Treasurer. I thought it would be good time to reflect on this busy year and let you all know what has been going on.
First and foremost, I corrected the property tax collection dates. From now on, they will always be in February and July. I know this caused some confusion, but it desperately needed to be fixed. I corrected this so that any future treasurer doesn't take office the first Monday in September and have a full collection under way. That was the situation on my first day in office.
We have modernized technology in the office in numerous ways. First, we implemented cyber security tools to fortify the network in the treasurer's office. It sounds trivial, but the treasurer's office never had its own email address and government website domain.
We can now be found online at https://www.treasurer.columbiana.oh.gov. I can also be reached by email any time at bblakeman@treasurer.columbiana.oh.gov. We ordered a kiosk for making tax bill payments back in January. This device will allow you to make payments in the courthouse by cash, check, or credit card. Our newest modernization is something I'm hoping that many taxpayers will embrace. You can now go to https://columbianacountyohio.smartpayworks.com/ and create an account to view and pay your property tax bills electronically. This system allows you to create text and email reminders and have immediate access to your payment history through the system. You can even set up auto payment of your tax bills, so that you never have to worry about missing a due date! You can also opt in to receiving emailed tax bills rather than paper copy. This will save the county thousands of your tax dollars, allowing them to be invested in other ways, rather than paying for postage to mail a bill.
I ran for office with the pledge of helping to clean up the delinquent tax rolls in the county and we are doing just that. With the help of Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino and his staff, we have foreclosed on more delinquent tax payers in 2021 than ever before. We are on pace in 2022 to do even more. We have also collected on numerous delinquent properties. Mayor Greg Bricker in East Liverpool has told me that the city has seen a drop of 25% in their delinquencies over the past year! Our intention is to always work with the tax payer to make plans to collect over time rather than foreclose if at all possible.
Last but not least, I made changes to the quarterly investment review board meetings to include our investment advisor. This allows everyone on that board, including all three commissioners, to get a quarterly update on investment strategy as well as information on the direction of the economy and how it may impact the county. This enhanced communication has paid off for the county as our investments continue to grow at a pace not seen in decades!
In closing, its been an eventful year as your county treasurer. I will continue to work to improve the office. I am looking forward to what the next year may bring. If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please call my office or email me directly.