Republican Paula Wagner of Festus is seeking a third four-year term as Jefferson County treasurer. She is being challenged by fellow Republican Paul Wieland of Imperial.
With no opponent in November, the winner of the primary will be the treasurer.
The Jefferson County treasurer is paid $94,096.68.
Wagner, 57, of Festus is the current Jefferson County treasurer. She is married to Thomas and they have three children and six grandchildren. She is a 1985 graduate of Hillsboro and took accounting courses at Jefferson College from 1997 to 1999.
Paula Wagner
Wieland, 61, of Imperial, is an insurance broker for Wieland Insurance Group LLC.
He is married to Terri and they have three daughters and four grandchildren. He is a 1981 graduate of St. Pius X High School and attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, University of Missouri-St. Louis and University of Missouri in Columbia.
Paul Wieland
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Wagner: I have county finance experience having worked in the accounts payable department, the Auditor’s office and as deputy treasurer before being elected as treasurer in 2016. For 18 years, I was the treasurer of the church I previously attended.
Wieland: I served as state senator, 22nd District for two terms; state representative for three terms and on the Jefferson County Health Department Board of Trustees for two terms.
What are the treasurer’s duties? Why are you qualified to carry them out?
Wagner: The Treasurer’s office is responsible for receipting money into the financial system correctly, all money deposited into the county’s bank account as well as money collected by various county departments. This takes an understanding of governmental accounting and the account structure used in the financial system. Monthly, the Treasurer’s office balances the county’s bank and investment accounts to the general ledger as well as balancing the daily deposits. The office provides monthly reports to road tax entities for their board meetings.
Wieland: Duties of the county treasurer is to separate and divide the revenues of the county in compliance with the law; pay out the revenues on warrants issued by the commission. The funds so set apart, for this purpose the treasurer shall, keep a separate account with the county commission of each fund provided by law; and no warrant shall be paid out of any fund other than that upon which it has been drawn by order of the commission. As the former chairman of the Missouri Senate Banking Committee, I have the knowledge and resources to excel at this position.
What is the most important issue the Treasurer’s Office faces and why?
Wagner: The most important issue is protecting the county’s bank account from fraudulent activity. During the pandemic, we had several times where fraudulent checks tried to clear the bank account. Earlier this year, we had a utility check where the payee name had been “white washed” and changed to be made payable to an individual. The Treasurer’s office has caught and stopped all fraudulent activity. I have implemented processes to catch these types of fraud.
Wieland: Besides timely and accurate reporting, which is a must, being transparent in how our tax dollars are spent and ensuring the best rate of return for the taxpayers are of utmost importance. I would employ every resource at my disposal to ensure that the county’s investments are securing the best return for the taxpayers. By choosing sound investments that offer the highest interest rates available, the county can grow both financially and economically.
What changes, if any, are needed to improve the efficiency of this office?
Wagner: Since I started working in the Treasurer’s office, I have made sure we have an office procedural manual. This has helped employees to learn the office functions and their duties. We continue to work toward cross training so the office functions efficiently. I worked to have ACH payments offered to vendors of the county which allows payment to be deposited directly into their bank accounts which has saved the county money.
Wieland: First would be increasing transparency by utilizing Show-Me Checkbook. This tool, available since 2018 is designed to be a “one-stop shop” for citizens to find data on county spending and revenue, as well as payroll, debt obligations and cash flow. While 33 other Missouri counties including St. Louis County, St. Charles, Franklin and even St. Louis City, have embraced this system, our current office holders refuse to allow our taxpayers to access this information. Next, by constantly researching possible methods and resources, we could keep up with the latest technology and deploy that into the day-to-day operations.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Wagner: I have the proven financial experience, having worked in other financial offices which has helped me in the capacity as the county treasurer. I have implemented processes to help detect fraudulent activity in the county’s bank account. The Treasurer’s office is a very small office and the position is a working position which takes knowledge of fund accounting. I will continue to work diligently to safeguard taxpayer dollars from fraudulent bank activity.
Wieland: Transparency, making the office accessible to anyone anytime, a true open-door policy.
Efficiency, implement new technologies to make the office most efficient.
Integrity, pledge a new focus that the office will insure the highest level of integrity.
Accuracy, guarantee that all county accounts will be managed with the highest attention to detail and accuracy.
Collaboration, work with other office holders in Jefferson County to provide our citizens the best government at the lowest cost and encourage all office holders to hold each other accountable to reach that goal.
As former chairman of the Missouri Senate Banking Committee, my ultimate goal is to make Jefferson County the leader in the state among County treasurers’ offices.
