By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The incumbent and challenger for the Wood County Treasurer’s position both enjoy working with numbers and helping people understand how those numbers work.
Republican incumbent Jane Spoerl is completing her second term as county treasurer and would like to continue serving Wood Countians in that role. Democratic challenger Sean Elliott would like to offer his skills to help taxpayers better grasp where tax dollars are going.
Sean Elliott, an accountant in the insurance industry, is accustomed to financial reporting to insurance regulators, and understands the complex rules of investing.
“I’ve got a good background for it,” Elliott said of the county treasurer’s position. “I’m someone who has experience and wants to put it to work for others.”
That background includes the ability to explain numbers to people who may not have expert accounting skills.
“I like translating to people,” he said. “A lot of people do have questions about property values,” and the collection and distribution of taxes.
Accounting can be a language of its own, according to Elliott.
“I like talking shop about accounting and finance. I understand the language of money.”
“It takes time to bridge that communications gap,” he said
If elected, one of Elliott’s priorities would be to update the Wood County Treasurer’s Office website so it is more helpful to residents.
“It’s not easy to read. I think that’s something that should be more readily accessible,” he said.
Those plans would include Elliott posting explanatory videos on the treasurer’s website. He envisions the videos covering topics like explaining tax bills and raising awareness of homestead exemptions.
Elliott also said he has the skills needed for government investments.
“I have experience following rules for making investments. We have similar rules in insurance,” he said.
“You trust us with your hard-earned tax dollars,” he said.
If elected, Elliott said he will have to retain his current job, but would have consistent scheduled hours in the treasurer’s office. And he has plans to be more visible at local government meetings to explain taxes to city councils, township trustees and school boards.
“I have a passion for wanting to serve my community,” he said.
Jane Spoerl sees her role as county treasurer as an extension of her 30-plus years in local banking prior to being elected. After working with customers at MidAm, Sky, Huntington, and Modern Woodmen of America, Spoerl said she came to the county office with a lot of experience in treating people right.
“Hopefully that outreach to the community and customer service has improved,” since she became treasurer, she said.
Some of the people seeking services at the treasurer’s office are frustrated by an increase in their taxes or their inability to pay.
“You treat people the way you want to be treated,” Spoerl said. “Nobody wants to depart from their money. So we’re respectful and help them understand.”
“I feel a sense of satisfaction helping people through that,” Spoerl said. “I’ve always wanted to give back and I’m using my experience in finance to do that.”
In some cases it helps to explain where citizens’ tax dollars are going.
“To help them understand the good their taxes are doing,” she said.
Spoerl said her office works closely with the Wood County Auditor’s Office, including efforts to bring more automation to the offices. The new real estate and finance software have been challenging, but do make the system more efficient for county residents, she said.
“We’ve really made an effort to improve those processes.”
As treasurer, Spoerl is also charged with investing county funds according to Ohio Revised Code rules. “We get as much of a return as we can,” while not taking risks with the county funds.
“It’s a big part of my job nobody thinks about,” she said.
If re-elected to the position, Spoerl said she will continue to take a hands-on approach in the office.
“I get down in the weeds. I learned all the jobs,” so she can fill in for staff if they are out of the office. “I’m there every day.”
“I really like being around people, and I like helping the people of Wood County,” she said.
