ELECTION GUIDE
GLEN ROSE REPORTER & YOURGLENROSETX.COM | Thursday, February 13, 2014 | PAGE C11
Treasurer to leave behind decades-long career GRR Staff Report
Somervell County Treasurer Barbara Hudson was elected in 2003. She brought more than a decade of experience to the office, having served as deputy treasurer under her predecessor, Vicki Crisp. Hudson will retire from the post after almost 25 years of serving Somervell County employees and residents, she will serve her final days in December.
While her title implies one of the office’s functions, Hudson explained her daily duties are about much more than collecting money and writing receipts. She is responsible for reconciling receipts daily, making sure every penny in the county coffers and every cent owed to the entity are accounted for. The office is responsible for making sure the county is getting the most for its buck, serving as the county’s chief investment officer. While that role is not
worth as much under current interest rates, understanding the ups and downs of the market has led to greater returns during less-troubled economic times. Payroll is a big expense. And dispersing paychecks and coordinating benefits for a workforce that includes 136 full-time employees is another part of Hudson’s duties. She works diligently to see the county workers are getting the best possible coverage, while taxpayers are also getting the most out
of their investment. And the expense is not small. The county’s current health insurance policy is an annual investment of almost $1.2 million. Hudson said experience is something that served her well when she took the reins from Crisp, applying the skills of a banker and accountant, while taking her seat in the commissioners courtroom, delivering reports to officials charged with being the caretakers of taxpayer funds. Barbara Hudson
MEET THE CANDIDATES - County Treasurer of serving Somervell County, that includes family having served on commissioners court, as city officials, in church leadership, and three generations of active service through the Somervell County Fire Department.
Jennifer Stroud, 39 18-year resident FAMILY • Husband of 19 years, Blaine Stroud • Sons, Dakota, a sophomore at Glen Rose High School, and Tanner, an 8th grader at the junior high I desire to continue a long family history
EDUCATION • Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Tarleton State University PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE • Elementary/junior high teacher since 2000 • Partner in family owned corporation CURRENT MEMBERSHIPS • Glen Rose FFA Alumni
• Masters Degree in Educational Administration, Tarleton State University. • Continued education courses in accounting, economics and computer science
Carrie KnightMapes, 49 Lifelong resident FAMILY • Husband, Don Mapes, former GRISD maintenance supervisor and now employed in maintenance at Tarleton State University • Father, Sid Knight, former foreman of the State Highway Department in Glen Rose • Mother, Sallie Knight, former business manager at Glen Rose ISD My parents taught me by experience about public service. • Brother, Dan Knight, Glen Rose High School Class of 1980 EDUCATION • Glen Rose High School, Class of 1982
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE • Former business manager, Alvarado ISD • Current accounting manager, Granbury ISD CURRENT MEMBERSHIPS • First United Methodist Church of Glen Rose • Glen Rose/Somervell County Chamber of Commerce • Texas Association of School Business Officials, 21 years, Registered Texas School Business Administrator VOLUNTEER SERVICE • Took class notes for students under the Americans with Disabilities Act at Hill College • Financial volunteer for the emergency services program through Alvarado ISD, which prepared for disasters such as pandemics
• Daughter, August • Grandson, Nikoli EDUCATION • Glen Rose High School graduate • 15 hours investment training
Susanne Graves, 52 Raised in Somervell County, returned in 1998 FAMILY • Son, Chase
• More than 100 hours of training specific to county treasurer’s office PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE • Deputy treasurer, Somervell County
• Somervell County Youth Fair Association • Stonewater Church VOLUNTEER SERVICE • Children’s church at Stonewater Church • Dinosaur Valley Youth Jackpot Show • Stonewater Serves • Somervell County Youth Fair Association • Hiring committees • Concessions at school-related events • Angel Food distribution • Children’s choir director • Supportive wife, mother and
Knight-Mapes Q&A Q: What are the duties of county treasurer? A: According to the Texas Association of Counties, “the county treasurer is the chief custodian of all county funds,” meaning the county treasurer is the county’s banker. The duties include receiving money collected by all county offices, depositing those receipts and posting the receipts to the proper budget codes, as well as disbursing monies and issuing all checks to pay the obligations of the county as directed commissioners and within the law. Somervell County treasurer has other duties, such as being responsible for all payroll functions and coordinating employee benefit programs. The treasurer is responsible for remitting all funds collected and due to the state, such as court fees and fees collected by various departments. Extensive and detailed record keeping and reporting are critical to the success of the office. Q: What is the most important function of the office?
CURRENT MEMEBERSHIPS • County Treasurers Association of Texas VOLUNTEER SERVICE • Girl Scouts • American Cancer Society
daughter-in-law of Somervell County Fire Department members
Stroud Q&A Q: What are the duties of county treasurer? A: To serve as the chief custodian of county finance, receive funds for county from whatever source, keep and account for all monies in designated depository, pay and apply or disburse all monies in such a manner as commissioners court directs, receive all receipts from county officials, serve as chief liaison between county and depository banks, maintain records of all deposits and withdrawals, reconcile all bank statements and report on county finance A: Accountability. The county treasurer is the guardian of taxpayers’ money and is responsible to every taxpayer to account for their funds. It is a position which requires the office holder to understand that every decision is made to protect those funds. The treasurer must be diligent and detailoriented, with a firm conviction that there is no amount too small to be concerned. This is the people’s money, and they are electing me to safeguard it. The position is one of accountability and public service, as well as support to county employees who are on the front lines everyday, providing services to the public. Every person who contacts the office is a customer, deserving respect and assistance. Q: Do you have experience in banking, accounting or financial planning? A: I worked in banking for five years, with three years being in the accounting department. I have worked more than 17 years in governmental business management and fund accounting, working with budgets from $35-$70 million.
program for county employees. Q: What do you believe is the most important function of the office? A: Proper handling and accountability of County taxpayer money.
Q: What are the duties of county treasurer?
Q: Do you have experience in banking, accounting or financial planning?
A: Banker for county, payroll, receive and disburse all money collected or paid on behalf of Somervell County. Budget preparation and benefit
A: Five years bookkeeping of controlled documents. Three years payroll, taxes, accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R)
Graves Q&A
to commissioners court. Q: What do you believe is the most important function of the office? A: To be a part of a broad team that puts this county on a path to financial stability, shoring up our short-term financial issues while responsibly protecting our long-term securities. Q: Do you have experience in banking, accounting or financial planning? A: Many years running the finances for our local family-owned business.
A: Tasked with raising funds for several nonprofit organizations and with the school district that I currently work for. Q: Have you ever managed investments? A: I have managed our business’s shortterm and long-term assets portfolio with a conservative mindset that continues to prove successful. Q: What are the top two skills or personal attributes that make you the best candidate?
Q: What is your experience with budgeting outside of a family/household budget?
A: I have a servant’s heart that works well with others. I am a patriot who cares about our community and its future.
These positions required that I monitor federally funded programs and grants, where strict adherence to federal rules and guidelines carried substantial penalties for noncompliance. I was the liaison between the bank and my employer at Alvarado ISD and the education service center. I also helped with longrange planning and grant writing at both of those locations.
A: I was the investment officer at Alvarado ISD and the education service center. At Alvarado ISD, I oversaw the investment of our general fund and debt service fund balances which were at times in excess of $20 million.
Q: What is your experience with budgeting outside of a family/household budget? A: I have more than 14 years of budgeting experience, including working with administration and reducing budgets during economic downturns. With my vast experience in medium to large school districts, I have worked extensively within a budget environment with hundreds of budget line items and verified that money was available to approve expenses. These budgets had multiple funds, including local, state and federal – each of which had different guidelines. Q: Have you ever managed investments?
and contracts for 35 employees. Nine years A/P, A/R, billing for 15,000 accounts. Three years processing daily deposit for four vending routes. Four years of bid preparation. Eleven years assisting with daily deposit of county funds. County payroll, quarterly reports, W-2s. Process checks to pay all county bills. Bank account reconciliation. Budget preparation. Q: What is your experience with budgeting outside of a family/household budget?
Under the Public Funds Investment Act, a government official in charge of investments must take 10 hours of training every two years. I completed my first five hours in Oct. 2013, and plan to complete the second five hours on April 3. Q: What makes you the best candidate? A: My extensive successful experience in governmental finance and fund accounting along with my education make me the best candidate. Personally, I have a deep level of commitment to serve the taxpayers of Somervell County with honesty, integrity and complete transparency. I provide the best service possible because throughout my years in governmental business management, I never forgot the money we used came from a taxpayer’s pocket and should be guarded closely. A: Assisting county treasurer with budget preparation for 11 years. Q: Have you ever managed investments? A: Prior experience with mutual funds for personal retirement and assisting county treasurer with investment policy review. Q: What makes you the best candidate? A: Professional and positive attitude. Strong work ethic.