Election Profiles: Sebastian County Treasurer

Editor’s note: Between Oct. 13 and Oct. 27, The City Wire will present information from candidates in 15 key races in Crawford County, Sebastian County, Fort Smith and area legislative districts. A schedule of races presented will accompany this article and each article in the series.

Sebastian County Treasurer Judith Miller (R) is being challenged for a second term by Debbie Johnson (D).

Johnson is an 11-year employee of the Sebastian County Clerk’s office, and has managed the Greenwood office for the past three years.

Miller has been involved in some level of county government since 1984

CANDIDATE RESPONSE REQUEST
In 400 words or less, please explain your qualifications for the office you seek and what you would do to improve the office if elected.

• Debbie Johnson response:
I am a lifelong resident of Sebastian County graduating from Hackett High School in 1971. I have one son, Kyle Johnson.

I am employed in the County Clerk’s office having been there eleven years. I have been the office manager in our Greenwood office for the past three years.

My duties include voter registration & elections, annexations, and completing the yearly school abstract for all the school districts. I also certify the Collector’s monthly reports.

The greatest challenge for the Treasurer’s office at present is acquiring a new financial software program. This will require a good working relationship with other County offices which is one of my goals I feel strongly about. I feel that with my strong administrative skills along with my relationship with employees of other offices within the County I will bring a positive attitude to the office I’m seeking.

• Judith Miller response:
I began working for Sebastian County in 1984 for the Election Commission and the County Clerk’s office. I ended my service with the County Clerk’s office in 1997 and continue to work for the Election Commission until the end of 2000.

I began working in the Treasurer’s office in 1999 as part time. In 2000 I became a full time Deputy Treasurer and moved up to Chief Deputy Treasurer in 2004. I have climbed the ladder from the bottom and I have preformed every function necessary to run the Treasurer’s office.

When the Treasurer’s office took over the Collector’s office in 2005, I was instrumental in selecting and implementing the new software that the Collector’s office is currently using. I helped design and implement the software in the Treasurer’s office. The Treasurer’s office uses Governmental accounting and this is very different from normal business accounting. I understand how to make a budget and handle a large office. I also have the experience in knowing how to cut a budget. I cut the budget in the Collector’s and Treasurer’s by approximately $60,000 for the year 2011.

I currently allow taxpayers to make payments toward their taxes as long as the balance is paid in full by October 10th. I am following the law, Act 555, in securing payments from delinquent business personal accounts.

The software in the Treasurer’s office needs to be updated. I have studied several software programs, and presently we are waiting on a signed contract. The Legislative Auditors for the State of Arkansas are preparing to require new standards and the new software will handle this situation. Since taking office I have implemented changes to reduce cost by minimizing paper usage and better utilizing technology to make my offices more efficient. The 10 years of experience is what makes me the most qualified person for this position.