Treasurer thankful for taxpayer patience

In a moment of quiet reflection, I sit at my desk with the office dark, tax payers are gone, staff has finally left and all I can feel is proud, grateful and blessed. I could not have asked for things to have flowed any smoother than they did for our first tax season.

I am so proud of the patience the taxpayers had with us. Proud of my staff, proud of their commitment and dedication to me, to you, this county. I worked day, night and weekends and so did they. They didn’t leave my side and often told me to go home. Grateful to have them with me, grateful to know that not only they will weather every single storm and sunny day with me but that they will do it all for you too! People we don’t know, people we are committed too. Our taxpayers, our county. Simply grateful and blessed.

Thank you to those they offered solutions, ideas, ways to improve to make it even better next year. Yes, we changed a few things, but it was so very important to me to honor my word and commitment to you. We were able to print the tax bills using local businesses and we did it for a 45 percent reduction in cost. So, 45 percent less that came out of the tax payer pocket. I also adjusted and removed services that we didn’t need in the office. I worked with vendors to reduce costs to us and to taxpayers. I will continue to strive to reduce costs here so that I can pass that savings on to you. If you have ever had a conversation with me about taxes you know this saying well, “We all need to pay our share of taxes, but we do not need to pay more than our FAIR share!”

Living in a home with only my income and raising three girls with medical needs, I truly understand the importance of cost saving and living frugally.

As we continue to work for you, I encourage you to come in and visit with us. Help us to serve you in a larger capacity. What can we do to help you make Greene County a better place to live.

I hope to see you all at the next “Coffee and Comments” at Totally Whipped Cupcakery in Linton on Friday, May 12, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. It’s just a casual way to talk about tough topics in a neutral and friendly environment.

Thank you again and I look forward to the many months ahead as your Treasurer.

Nicole Stahl is the Greene County Treasurer. She can be contacted at Nicole.Cox@co.greene.in.us.