County treasurer candidate profile: Kathrynn Tate

Editor’s note: The Clovis News Journal asked Curry County treasurer candidates to answer the following questions in 300 words or less. The answers were edited for spelling and style. The primary is June 3.

Kathrynn A. Tate

Party affiliation: Democrat

Age: 59

Occupation: Farmer/rancher, small-business owner

Previous elected office: Curry County Commission

What is the most important job of the county treasurer?

The treasurer is required to keep: l) account of all monies received and disbursed; 2) regular accounts of all checks and warrants drawn on the treasury and paid; and 3) all of the books, papers, and monies pertaining to this office ready for inspection by county commissioners at all times. The county treasurer is ex-officio county collector for all county revenues. County revenues are also distributed by the county treasurer.

Major revenues consist of property and other taxes, various fees, licenses and revenues from the state and federal governments.

The treasurer is responsible for the collection of taxes, penalties and interest due under the property tax code. The treasurer is ex-officio tax collector for the county, state or municipality by and with the advice and consent of the board of county finance.

The treasurer has supervision of the deposits and safekeeping of public monies. This includes investment functions so that the highest rate of return can be maximized. I believe that my experience gives me the qualifications to perform these duties.

What background or experiences qualify you for this position?

I served eight years on the Curry County Commission, one year as chairperson.

Among some of the duties as a commissioner is approving the county budget based on the revenues collected by the county treasurer. I served as chairperson eight years on the county board of finance, whose primary function is approving the treasurer’s investments.

I have prior banking experience in bookkeeping, and as a consumer loan officer and the manager of the savings department. I was also in charge of personnel. I handled many large investments, including the State of New Mexico’s, with diligence to secure the highest rate available.

I will ensure that I will seek someone with considerable knowledge about the operations of the county to serve as my chief deputy.

What is working at the treasurer’s office?