Three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination for Jefferson County treasurer in the Aug. 2 primary election.
The current treasurer, Democrat Linda Nees, chose not to seek a second four-year term. Nees, a longtime employee of the Treasurer’s Office, was appointed to replace Mark Abel, who died in March 2011 in the middle of his first term, and then was elected in 2012.
Former Jefferson County Auditor Dorothy Stafford is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket.
She will face either Mark Paul of Imperial; Paula Wagner of Festus, who is the chief deputy treasurer under Nees; or Ken Horton of Fenton, who ran unsuccessfully against Nees in the November 2012 general election.
The treasurer is paid $81,149 per year.
PAUL, 36, lives at 5461 Regency Woods Manor, Imperial. He and his wife, Michelle, have two daughters. He is the general manager of H.L. Paul Distributing Co. in Imperial. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Missouri Baptist University in 2003. He has been an Imperial Township committeeman since 2012 and a member of the Jefferson County Employee Merit Commission since 2014.
Social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarkPaulforLiberty
WAGNER, 49, lives at 11218 Argonne Road, Festus. She and her husband, Thomas, have three children and seven grandchildren. She started work for the county in 1997 as a part-time housekeeper while she took accounting courses at Jefferson College. In 1999, she was hired as an accounts payable clerk in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office and then moved to the Treasurer’s Office in 2011. She is a member of Sandy Baptist Church, where she has been treasurer since 2002.
Social media: Facebook: Paula Wagner for Treasurer
HORTON, 51, lives at 142 Winter Lake Blvd., Fenton. He and his wife, Patricia, have a child. He is a production manager at Superior Elevator Inspections in Fenton. He is a 1982 graduate of Fox High School and attended trade school at Jefferson College. He has spent the past six years helping grass-roots conservatives win elections and implement positive change into our county. He and his wife also served and volunteered at First Baptist Church in Arnold.
Social media: Facebook: Horton For Treasurer Twitter: @khorton82
What are the treasurer’s duties? Why are you qualified to carry them out?
Paul: The treasurer is the custodian of all county revenues and other money received in the name of other entities within Jefferson County and is responsible for distributing that money to those entities. The treasurer is also entrusted with making and monitoring investments of surplus money to earn interest, which adds money to the budget. Working in a small family business, I understand money and how hard it is to earn and manage. Every dollar that the county receives comes from the pockets of hard-working citizens. The treasurer has a fiduciary responsibility to be sure your money is being guarded and invested wisely. This is not a duty I take lightly. I seek this office to serve you, the taxpayer, in a professional manner.
Wagner: Duties include receipting all money brought into the county through our financial system, safeguarding county taxpayer dollars, ensuring the county is receiving the highest return on operating and investment money and balancing the county’s bank accounts and various investments. I have the experience in the daily activities of the office and in investing. I have been through the bank bid process and understand how to ensure the county is receiving the best return. On a monthly basis, I help balance the four financial institutions currently used by the county to the general ledger.
Horton: The treasurer is responsible for receiving, disbursing and investing funds it receives. It also distributes payroll for all departments. State statute requires the treasurer to keep all general ledger accounts balanced. Having been a small business owner for 27 years gives me the qualifications and experience. I have managed budgets, payrolls and employees and feel my private-sector business experience is an asset. As a business owner, you must deal with the public in a professional, courteous manner or you won't be in business long. Sadly, too many of our elected officials, especially in Washington, have become arrogant and out of touch. I will bring the same level of customer service and professionalism to elected office as I have in the private sector.
What changes, if any, are needed to improve the efficiency of this office?
Paul: A government that is open and transparent with money will also be more accountable to taxpayers. In the age of identity theft and fraud, the treasurer must use all technology to be the most responsive to fraud and other cyber attacks. Banks and other vendors can be valuable to helping the treasurer keep the money safe. The office can be better about informing residents about where the money is coming from and going. In the 21st century, almost every kind of information is available on the Internet. We can use technology and software to post revenues and expenses online. I will work with the auditor to put the county budget online as well.
Wagner: Since I started working in the office, I have made several changes to improve the efficiency of the office by updating spreadsheets, emailing receipts to various offices to ensure they receive them in a timely manner and storing reports electronically to save resources. My knowledge in Crystal Reports has also saved the office time in balancing the various bank accounts at the end of the month.
Horton: It wouldn't be fair to make judgments regarding the efficiency of the office until I can see first-hand how it is being run. I will ensure the staff are accessible and courteous. As a small business owner, I’ve learned that to be competitive, you have to find innovative ways to streamline operations to be cost-effective. I will bring that same business-minded experience to the Treasurer’s Office.
Should the treasurer’s job continue to be an elected, partisan position? Why or why not?
Paul: The job is highly administrative, dealing with investments, monetary income, and expenses. I do not see partisan politics playing any significant role in performing the duties. However, I find some value in using partisan elections. Having a primary and a general election gives voters the best vetting of the candidates. Getting through a primary requires hard work of every candidate to earn votes. During the general election, candidates must work just as hard and voters will decide between well-vetted candidates. Nonpartisan elections have one flaw: Candidates who are well financed or have more recognizable names are harder to beat. The vote can be split between any number of candidates listed for election.
Wagner: The position should continue to be an elected position. The voters should be able to choose who they feel is the best person.
Horton: Yes, the treasurer should continue to be an elected position. If we allow council members or county executives to start picking our officials, those appointments will become nothing more than political power plays. As an avid admirer of Ronald Reagan and his principles, I believe the best government is one selected by the people rather than bureaucrats. Reagan was correct when he said, “Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.” Jefferson County voters don't need to be protected from themselves. Any suggestion or proposal like that should be rejected out of hand.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Paul: I value every resident’s input. I have also talked to many who are upset with the lack of information regarding where the money is spent. I know that the treasurer can be more open with you about county finances. Being elected to a position is about one thing – serving the public. You, the voter, place a lot of trust in all officials, I will not take that trust bestowed upon me lightly.
My goals:
1. Post all revenues and expenses online.
2. Seek an independent audit of the office to be sure all proper procedures and practices are being implemented and followed.
3. Use new technology to prevent fraud and waste.
4. Serve the public in a professional and transparent manner.
Wagner: I am the most qualified candidate. I have the experience of working in both the accounts payable department and the county Auditor’s Office, which has helped me succeed in my current position. I have a working relationship with those offices and also with our financial institutions. I currently have to make decisions for the office in the absence of the treasurer. If elected, I would like to implement the positive pay system offered by our financial institution to prevent fraudulent checks from clearing though our account.
Horton: I received just shy of 45,000 votes when I ran for treasurer in 2012, narrowly losing, 51 percent to 49 percent. My main platform was, and still is, to bring transparency to Jefferson County’s finances and post all expenditures online. I believe taxpayers have a right to see how their tax dollars are being spent without having to waste valuable time driving to Hillsboro. I will continue to be a strong advocate for this issue until we finally bring the county's finances into the 21st century.