Salt Lake County’s Treasurer’s office is currently one of the best run governmental offices in the State of Utah. The County maintains a AAA bond rating from all three agencies. The core competencies are solid. But just like business, government needs to be nimble and cost effective without damaging the core competencies. I have a proven track record of innovation that increases efficiencies while simultaneously decreasing errors. The following is one such instance of my vision creating tangible results for all citizens of Utah.
The Idea
As I was preparing my budget in the fall of 2013 at the SL County Treasurer’s office, I once again allocated about 40% of my operations budget to printing and mailing tax notices to the residents of SL County. I wondered about the option of utilizing modern technology to send tax notices to those who prefer electronic means.
The Problem
In talking with the County Treasurer, Wayne Cushing, we lamented the fact that by statute, tax notices MUST either be hand delivered or delivered via USPS. We immediately contacted the Utah Association of Counties (UAC) to get their assistance in drafting legislation to allow other methods of delivering tax notices. When the 2014 legislative session was well under way, we learned that UAC had not proceeded with drafting the legislation that we requested.
The Bill
I went home that night from work and wrote my own bill. The next day, I ran it past individuals in the Treasurer’s office and the District Attorney’s office. Modifications were made and I then needed to get a bill created in the Legislature. Unfortunately, the deadline to file a new bill was already past. I scoured the boxcar bills that were still open. Senator Aaron Osmond had a boxcar bill that could potentially be used. I contacted the Senator and explained what we were trying to do. He agreed to run our bill and it was quickly drafted and given to the Tax/Revenue committee chaired by Sen. Diedre Henderson. The idea that tax notices should have the ability to be electronic if all parties agreed was readily accepted. As the session wound to a close, and with Rep. Eric Hutchings helping to get it through the House chamber, SB244 passed at 10:30pm on the last night of the session and was signed into law on March 31, 2014.
The Results
We are now emailing over 10% of the tax notices via Email with a significant savings to the office budget. This has allowed the office budget to minimize increases even while printing and mailing costs have increased significantly. This one change has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in SL County alone. Moreover, this law now allows ALL counties in the state to implement similar tax savings strategies with both the tax notice and the notice of valuation sent out by the Auditor’s office.
This is one example of my having a vision, asking the right question, knowing the process, having political respect, and working hard that has created a more efficient and cost-effective government for all residents in the State of Utah. I ask for you to support an innovative thinker and someone who knows how to get things done! I appreciate your vote for Phil Conder to be the next Salt Lake County Treasurer.