Soon after filing for the Aug. 7 primary election closed It looked as if the only contested race for Jefferson County Collector would happen in November.
Democrat Beth Mahn was lined up to run for her ninth consecutive four-year term against Julie Ann Zalenda of Cedar Hill, a Republican.
However, Zalenda subsequently withdrew from the race, and County Clerk Randy Holman ordered that filings for the Republican spot on the ballot be reopened for five days.
Two candidates then filed – Lisa “Brewer” Short of Cedar Hill and Jason Fulbright of Arnold.
Fulbright has represented Ward 1 on the Arnold City Council since 2013.
Short had originally filed to run against Zalenda but withdrew after she was told that under state law, candidates for county collector must post a letter from a bonding agent certifying that the candidate is bondable. After the filing reopened, she presented that letter to Holman’s office.
The collector is paid a salary of $81,149 a year.
SHORT, 48, lists her address as P.O. Box 13, Cedar Hill. She has two children and one grandchild. She has worked for Mercy Hospital since 2001, in accounts receivable-payable, software support and training, writing money handling policies and as project coordinator. She has been a trustee for the Cedar Hill Elks for five years and was secretary-treasurer for the Church of God from 1995-1997.
Social media: Website: lisa4collector.com
FULBRIGHT, 44, lives at 3443 Tenbrook Road, Arnold, with his wife, Tammy. He is a property manager and owner of JASTAM Property Management LLC in Arnold. A 1992 graduate of Fox High School, he received an associate degree from Jefferson College and bachelor’s and master’s of business administration degrees from Missouri Baptist University. He is secretary of the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee, parliamentarian for the Southern Gateway Association of Realtors, is on the board of Public Water Supply District 1 and is a member of the Arnold Rotary Club and Jefferson County Labor Club.
Social media: Website: www,jasonfulbright.com
What are the collector's duties? Why are you qualified to carry them out?
Short: Collectors are responsible for billing and processing tax payments. They collect current and delinquent property taxes along with special assessments and fees for liquor, merchant licenses and county permits. The collector is then responsible for the accounting and distribution to entities such as school, library and fire districts.
Fulbright: The obvious key duty is to collect the revenues of the county. As a property manager, this is what I do. My clients trust me to collect their money and accurately account for every penny. When people don’t pay their taxes, the Collector’s Office oversees the tax sale process. I’m a licensed Realtor and understand how real property is conveyed. Finally, the collector is responsible for managing the office, staff and processes of a countywide office. I have a master’s degree in business administration and know how governmental offices are managed. I have the experience to do this job.
What would you do to improve public access to data controlled by your office?
Short: I would evaluate the processes to make as much information as possible online without compromising the residents’ security.
Fulbright: I would like to see the Collector’s Office and the entire county website be more mobile-friendly. Data, such as current and past property taxes, is easy to find as long as you are using a PC. Also, I would like to see the properties up for tax sale added as a layer to the county’s GIS mapping so you don’t have to look through hundreds of pages of properties listed by parcel ID.
What would you do to improve customer service?
Short: I believe that government should serve the people. Customer service and ease of obtaining accurate bills and paid receipts should be foremost. I am highly qualified to evaluate the systems and implement new ones to save the taxpayers’ money and stop wasteful spending.
Fulbright: I have extensive customer service experience and understand that the largest complaint people have when dealing with the government is not always that they don’t get the answer they want but that they were not treated with professionalism and courtesy. It is important to always remember that the government should work for us and treat the public accordingly.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Short: I will bring 18 years of corporate experience to the office. I intend to use what I do well to do good for my county. I pledge to do everything possible to make the experience with the office a pleasant one. I intend to streamline the process, watch over the bottom line and cut costs.
Fulbright: I have the trusted experience to be your collector. As a property manager, my clients trust me to care for their property and collect their money. As a Realtor, I have experience with land sales and understand real estate transactions. Finally, my experience in local government has shown me how important it is that we be accountable to the public and always work to put serving them first. One goal I have is to make it possible to pay your taxes online and not have to wait two weeks for a paid receipt.