Submitted photo.
Election day is Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Marina Miller is one of two candidates running for Price County Treasurer. To help voters make an informed voting decision, Marina shared information about her candidacy.
What is your background (education, family, work, etc.)?
My name is Marina Miller, and I am running for Price County Treasurer. I live in the Township of Georgetown with my husband, Steve, and our teenage daughter, Lily. A quick look into my background and you won't find any gaps in my work history, but you will find consistency and dedication to long-term employment.
Since high school graduation in 1988, I have had four full-time jobs. Eleven years at a drill factory were followed by service as a corrections officer for just shy of 19 years. Starting at Vilas and ending in Price County, I am well-versed in public service.
In late 2018, the Deputy County Treasurer position became available. For the first time in my life, I wasn't working shiftwork and was grateful for the opportunity. I am currently looking forward to celebrating 20 years as a Price County employee in January of 2025.
What prompted you to run for the county treasurer position?
This October will be my 6th year working as the Deputy County Treasurer. I believe I have the background and experience to successfully run this office much as it has been for the past 35 years by our current county treasurer, Lynn Neeck.
This just seems like the next logical step in my county government career, and I am up for the challenge that the new structure of the county offices will bring us. With the combining of the county clerk and treasurer staff into one office, I am prepared to step into the role of Treasurer in January to ensure the smoothest transition possible.
What is your definition of an excellent county treasurer?
I believe an excellent county treasurer is one that not only is capable of working well with other municipal, county, and state government officials, but also communicates effectively with the taxpayers of Price County.
The staff of the treasurer's office has contact with the public each and every day, whether it be via telephone, email, or in-person here at the office. Our main duty is to collect property taxes. While the treasurer does not set the amount of taxes due, nor do we determine property assessment values, we are available to answer taxpayer questions the best we can. We are able to provide contact information of local assessors, municipal board officials, and appropriate zoning offices when needed.
Furthermore, as the office that handles the revenues of all county departments, an excellent treasurer must keep accurate financial records and maintain the security of those records and funds.
What makes you qualified for this elected position?
As previously mentioned, I have held the position of the Deputy County Treasurer since October 2018. I am extremely familiar with our tax collection software and property search Internet site. I am also able to retrieve archived records that are no longer accessible with our current NOVUS computer program.
I not only participate in the county's routine audits, but I am responsible for the monthly bank reconciliations of the numerous financial institutions that hold the county's monetary assets.
I assist in receipting the county's revenues, including ACH deposits that come into our multiple bank accounts on a daily basis. I also provide support to the county's Office of Administration with payroll withholding reporting and bi-weekly accounts payable distribution.
Additionally, I have been taking classes through the University of Wisconsin Green Bay every year since 2019 in an effort to boost my treasurer/clerk knowledge.
How would you prioritize your workload if elected?
Of all the duties for which the Treasurer's Office is responsible, I believe the needs of the taxpayers and collecting tax payments should be our highest priority. Friendly customer service and professionalism should be both expected and provided.
Many days our office, which is currently staffed by only two people, can get bombarded with workload depending on the volume of incoming mail or telephone calls. We take each day as it comes, carefully and meticulously recording tax payments received. We conduct a weekly balance of our collections and do not always get to clock out at 4:30-5 p.m. with our other courthouse counterparts. We stay until the job is completed, with accuracy being of utmost importance.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the voting public?
In conclusion, I would like to remind the voting public of 3 things:
#1: Do your research on your candidates for both the clerk and treasurer elections. Choose an individual who plans on being a working department head, present in the office and available to the public.
#2: PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TUESDAY, AUGUST 13th! The county primary election has never been more important, as any candidate moving on to the general election in November will do so unopposed. The time to pick the candidate of your choosing is in August.
#3: Regardless of the outcome of the elections, voters can be confident Price County will continue to run in a smooth and efficient manner. Whether as Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer, I will still be in the office to help guide the new staff to the best of my ability.
Authorized and paid for by Marina Miller for Price County Treasurer