How would you expect to be better served by combining the offices of the Treasurer-Tax Collector and the Auditor-Controller?
By combining these departments I expect you would be able to combine a number of forms and process that currently pass through both which would be more efficient. As a county employee I am well aware of how many of our handling processes are still all paper or mixed paper / e-format. Perhaps by combining these departments they will be better able to modernize some of their paperwork.
What improvements would you like to see made in our permitting process?
Some kind of centralizing authority would make the permitting process faster and more navigable for people in the county. A kind of "Central Information" for builders and motivated individuals in the county with limited time to put into the process could be very helpful.
If a local excise tax is passed on the cultivation of medical marijuana, what are your priorities for those funds?
I'd like to see these funds prioritize environmental rehabilitation, especially of the watersheds and rivers that have been so negatively impacted by marijuana cultivation. Secondarily, I'd like to see these funds support programs that support drug-abusers move towards sobriety and functionality in the community.
From question on Page 4: How have you seen Measure Z improve your community?

The Sheriff's Department office near me has been easier to reach and out in the community more.
What parts of the county government do you want to know more about?
The Board of Supervisors, how funding is negotiated between departments, and health and human services.
What local issues do you care about most?
Homelessness, environmental stewardship, and supporting local education and library services.
What would you like to see more or less of at this meeting?

I don't have a point of comparison at this time.

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Did you know that our Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office manages more than $1.4 billion each year? This includes investing, receiving and disbursing (paying out) money for most local government agencies in the county, like local schools, special districts and county departments. On average, this office transacts more than $5 million per day. It makes sure that each agency has enough cash on-hand for its daily operations, while investing the rest to help it grow. This office also prepares and distributes tax bills, and collects property taxes, which is more than $60 million each year. All of this work is completed by a staff of just nine people.

The Treasurer-Tax Collector works closely with the Auditor-Controller when it comes to preparing property tax bills. To determine your property tax rate, the Auditor-Controller matches up your property with the appropriate taxes, taking in to account factors like exemptions, school bonds, street lighting, fire protection, and other charges that are specific to your property. This office also is responsible for many more functions. The Auditor-Controller distributes tax revenue, prepares financial reports, processes payroll for more than 2,000 employees and processes claims for payment, among other duties. Their staff is made up of just 12 employees.

Having such a small staff in each of these departments poses problems. It is especially difficult to provide back-up coverage and plan for the future as individual employees move on. In several other counties around the state these two offices are combined into a Finance Department. If we were to combine the Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector, how would you expect to be served better? Please note that this issue is not related to the County Assessor’s Office.

How would you expect to be better served by combining the offices of the Treasurer-Tax Collector and the Auditor-Controller?

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containing personal attacks, profanity, commercial advertising or content which is entirely off-topic, and/or
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Personal attacks are disparaging remarks which impute motives to a person's action. Statements of fact, or of your own opinion are generally not personal attacks.
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Personal Attack	Not A Personal Attack
He lied.	He said he did X, but in fact he did Y.
She misrepresented the truth.	I don't trust her.
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It is merely a power play on her part.	She will announce her candidacy soon.

What steps should we be taking this year to make our community a better place?

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20 registered responses

How would you expect to be better served by combining the offices of the Treasurer-Tax Collector and the Auditor-Controller?

What improvements would you like to see made in our permitting process?

If a local excise tax is passed on the cultivation of medical marijuana, what are your priorities for those funds?

From question on Page 4: How have you seen Measure Z improve your community?

What parts of the county government do you want to know more about?

What local issues do you care about most?

What would you like to see more or less of at this meeting?

How would you expect to be better served by combining the offices of the Treasurer-Tax Collector and the Auditor-Controller?

What improvements would you like to see made in our permitting process?

If a local excise tax is passed on the cultivation of medical marijuana, what are your priorities for those funds?

From question on Page 4: How have you seen Measure Z improve your community?

What parts of the county government do you want to know more about?

What local issues do you care about most?

What would you like to see more or less of at this meeting?

Your answers will NOT be saved

How would you expect to be better served by combining the offices of the Treasurer-Tax Collector and the Auditor-Controller?

Your answers will NOT be saved