Paula McGuire: 2022 candidate for Lake County Treasurer
Bio
Party: Republican
Office sought: Lake County Treasurer
City: Green Oaks
Age: 58
Occupation: Director of Financial Operations
Previous offices held: None
Q&A
Q: If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?
A: I am CPA with over 30 years of accounting experience. I worked in both the public and private sectors. I worked for Coopers and Lybrand, now known today as PriceWaterhouseCoopers one of the Big Four. I specialized in the areas of insurance, banking, financial and Investment services. In my career, I've already done just what I'm expected to do as County Treasurer, and I've done it competently. I know how to do more with less. My priorities would be as follows: The residents of this community their concerns, issues and subsequent resolution/solutions. The overseeing/protection of the county's monetary assets and its prudent investment. The timely and proper payment of bills. The timely processing of the revenue stream. Also, the proper running of the day to day office.
Q: Is there a particular issue that motivates you?
A: Yes. Restoring fiscal responsibility and sensible financial management through competency and fiduciary professionalism. The Office of Treasurer should be held by an individual who is not only qualified to campaign but is also qualified to understand and oversee its daily operations.
Q: The treasurer's office has a relatively low-profile. How would you improve the visibility and/or make residents more aware of what you do?
A: Put the Lake County community first. People over politics/protocols through restoring trust and faith in the operations of the office. Improve upon the current transparency by adhering to timely processing of procedural requirements. Increase awareness of the office through newsletters, informational seminars, perhaps monthly coffee with Treasurer. Make myself readily available in a timely manner for the concerns of the residents, particularly Seniors. I am actually concerned with properly serving the public as a Public Servant. It is my calling.
Q: How do you assess the success of the treasurer's office?
A: We need to invest in the community and it's people through sound leadership. A successful office allows for the sharing of ideas. Particularly, from those individuals who are not like minded. This will allow for better systems (ie work flow, procedural, and operational processes) to be implemented to serve the residents effectively and efficiently. Keep office costs down, mitigate risks. Have the office be more "customer service base" minded.
Q: What do you say to residents who say their taxes are too high?
A: I totally understand their frustration. I would make myself available to listen to any concern and walk an individual through their tax bill etc. to help them understand what their tax bill represents where the dollars go and if they are taking advantage of all exemptions etc. My understanding is that The Lake County Treasurer's Office does not legislate taxes. Therefore, I can pass their concerns along to those who do legislate the taxes or provide the individual with the proper information to voice their concerns to legislators. Of course there would have to be some sort of follow up to see if this individual received a satisfactory response for the referred concern.