Jones, Michalski vie for county treasurer

 
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2707167","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"398","title":"Carol Jones","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"269"}}]]     Many voters may be familiar with the Douglas County Treasurer’s office. It’s the place where people can pay their property taxes in person or work out a payment plan if they’re falling behind. But the office is responsible for more than collecting taxes and distributing the money to the various taxing authorities. The County Treasurer’s office is also responsible for managing county investments. Two candidates, both longtime employees of the office, are vying for votes to manage the office in the northwest corner on the first floor of the Douglas County Courthouse. County Board-appointed Treasurer Carol Jones is facing a challenge from Cindy Michalski, a 27-year veteran of the office. Jones, who has worked in the office for 12-years, six as deputy treasurer before her appointment to treasurer more than a year ago, has 36 years of experience working as a bookkeeper and tax preparer since graduating from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College with a certificate in accounting. Since then Jones has taken continuing education courses in data processing and automated accounting to keep up with advancing technologies, she said. Michalski graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and mathematics, in addition to taking computer programming classes at WITC. A lifelong Superior resident, Michalski graduated No. 1 in the class of 1983 at Superior Senior High School, and has spent her professional career working in the County Treasurer’s Office; she’s starting her 28th year with Douglas County. A big part of the job in the treasurer’s office is working with the public. "I would like to provide better customer service to the taxpayers by making our office a one-stop shop, where we would have forms and information available to them without sending them to other departments," Michalski said. "This would reduce stress for taxpayers and would make the process more efficient. I would continue to work with taxpayers that are struggling to pay on time by providing them with information about programs that they may qualify for and letting them know about the payment plans we offer. I feel that we need to help get people back on track so they don’t have to pay so much in extra fees. If the voters are looking for someone to work with them, and to listen to them in a respectful manner, that would be me." Jones said her goal is to keep reducing the number of tax foreclosures. She said it is her responsibility to collect taxes, not put people out of their homes. To achieve that, she works with people to develop a payment plan when they fall behind on their taxes. Jones said it’s about coming up with solutions. "The number of tax foreclosures in the last year has been the lowest it’s been in years," Jones said. "And I’m proud of that fact." Jones said it is her goal to be of service to the public. Being a people person, she said she always gets back to people as soon as possible and even the information someone is looking for is related to another department, she said her goal is to connect the person with the right department the first time. Michalski said she has extensive knowledge of all aspects of the department and would lead by example. "I have been serving the residents of Douglas County for nearly the last three decades and strive to provide quality customer service and make sure things are done accurately, timely, efficiently and according to state statutes," Michalski said.  [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2707165","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"Cindy Michalski","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"376"}}]]
    Many voters may be familiar with the Douglas County Treasurer’s office. It’s the place where people can pay their property taxes in person or work out a payment plan if they’re falling behind. But the office is responsible for more than collecting taxes and distributing the money to the various taxing authorities. The County Treasurer’s office is also responsible for managing county investments. Two candidates, both longtime employees of the office, are vying for votes to manage the office in the northwest corner on the first floor of the Douglas County Courthouse. County Board-appointed Treasurer Carol Jones is facing a challenge from Cindy Michalski, a 27-year veteran of the office. Jones, who has worked in the office for 12-years, six as deputy treasurer before her appointment to treasurer more than a year ago, has 36 years of experience working as a bookkeeper and tax preparer since graduating from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College with a certificate in accounting. Since then Jones has taken continuing education courses in data processing and automated accounting to keep up with advancing technologies, she said. Michalski graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and mathematics, in addition to taking computer programming classes at WITC. A lifelong Superior resident, Michalski graduated No. 1 in the class of 1983 at Superior Senior High School, and has spent her professional career working in the County Treasurer’s Office; she’s starting her 28th year with Douglas County. A big part of the job in the treasurer’s office is working with the public. "I would like to provide better customer service to the taxpayers by making our office a one-stop shop, where we would have forms and information available to them without sending them to other departments," Michalski said. "This would reduce stress for taxpayers and would make the process more efficient. I would continue to work with taxpayers that are struggling to pay on time by providing them with information about programs that they may qualify for and letting them know about the payment plans we offer. I feel that we need to help get people back on track so they don’t have to pay so much in extra fees. If the voters are looking for someone to work with them, and to listen to them in a respectful manner, that would be me." Jones said her goal is to keep reducing the number of tax foreclosures. She said it is her responsibility to collect taxes, not put people out of their homes. To achieve that, she works with people to develop a payment plan when they fall behind on their taxes. Jones said it’s about coming up with solutions. "The number of tax foreclosures in the last year has been the lowest it’s been in years," Jones said. "And I’m proud of that fact." Jones said it is her goal to be of service to the public. Being a people person, she said she always gets back to people as soon as possible and even the information someone is looking for is related to another department, she said her goal is to connect the person with the right department the first time. Michalski said she has extensive knowledge of all aspects of the department and would lead by example. "I have been serving the residents of Douglas County for nearly the last three decades and strive to provide quality customer service and make sure things are done accurately, timely, efficiently and according to state statutes," Michalski said. 
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2707167","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"398","title":"Carol Jones","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"269"}}]]  Many voters may be familiar with the Douglas County Treasurer’s office.It’s the place where people can pay their property taxes in person or work out a payment plan if they’re falling behind.But the office is responsible for more than collecting taxes and distributing the money to the various taxing authorities. The County Treasurer’s office is also responsible for managing county investments.Two candidates, both longtime employees of the office, are vying for votes to manage the office in the northwest corner on the first floor of the Douglas County Courthouse.County Board-appointed Treasurer Carol Jones is facing a challenge from Cindy Michalski, a 27-year veteran of the office.Jones, who has worked in the office for 12-years, six as deputy treasurer before her appointment to treasurer more than a year ago, has 36 years of experience working as a bookkeeper and tax preparer since graduating from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College with a certificate in accounting. Since then Jones has taken continuing education courses in data processing and automated accounting to keep up with advancing technologies, she said.Michalski graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and mathematics, in addition to taking computer programming classes at WITC. A lifelong Superior resident, Michalski graduated No. 1 in the class of 1983 at Superior Senior High School, and has spent her professional career working in the County Treasurer’s Office; she’s starting her 28th year with Douglas County.A big part of the job in the treasurer’s office is working with the public."I would like to provide better customer service to the taxpayers by making our office a one-stop shop, where we would have forms and information available to them without sending them to other departments," Michalski said. "This would reduce stress for taxpayers and would make the process more efficient. I would continue to work with taxpayers that are struggling to pay on time by providing them with information about programs that they may qualify for and letting them know about the payment plans we offer. I feel that we need to help get people back on track so they don’t have to pay so much in extra fees. If the voters are looking for someone to work with them, and to listen to them in a respectful manner, that would be me."Jones said her goal is to keep reducing the number of tax foreclosures. She said it is her responsibility to collect taxes, not put people out of their homes. To achieve that, she works with people to develop a payment plan when they fall behind on their taxes. Jones said it’s about coming up with solutions."The number of tax foreclosures in the last year has been the lowest it’s been in years," Jones said. "And I’m proud of that fact."Jones said it is her goal to be of service to the public. Being a people person, she said she always gets back to people as soon as possible and even the information someone is looking for is related to another department, she said her goal is to connect the person with the right department the first time.Michalski said she has extensive knowledge of all aspects of the department and would lead by example."I have been serving the residents of Douglas County for nearly the last three decades and strive to provide quality customer service and make sure things are done accurately, timely, efficiently and according to state statutes," Michalski said. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2707165","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"Cindy Michalski","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"376"}}]]
  Many voters may be familiar with the Douglas County Treasurer’s office.It’s the place where people can pay their property taxes in person or work out a payment plan if they’re falling behind.But the office is responsible for more than collecting taxes and distributing the money to the various taxing authorities. The County Treasurer’s office is also responsible for managing county investments.Two candidates, both longtime employees of the office, are vying for votes to manage the office in the northwest corner on the first floor of the Douglas County Courthouse.County Board-appointed Treasurer Carol Jones is facing a challenge from Cindy Michalski, a 27-year veteran of the office.Jones, who has worked in the office for 12-years, six as deputy treasurer before her appointment to treasurer more than a year ago, has 36 years of experience working as a bookkeeper and tax preparer since graduating from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College with a certificate in accounting. Since then Jones has taken continuing education courses in data processing and automated accounting to keep up with advancing technologies, she said.Michalski graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and mathematics, in addition to taking computer programming classes at WITC. A lifelong Superior resident, Michalski graduated No. 1 in the class of 1983 at Superior Senior High School, and has spent her professional career working in the County Treasurer’s Office; she’s starting her 28th year with Douglas County.A big part of the job in the treasurer’s office is working with the public."I would like to provide better customer service to the taxpayers by making our office a one-stop shop, where we would have forms and information available to them without sending them to other departments," Michalski said. "This would reduce stress for taxpayers and would make the process more efficient. I would continue to work with taxpayers that are struggling to pay on time by providing them with information about programs that they may qualify for and letting them know about the payment plans we offer. I feel that we need to help get people back on track so they don’t have to pay so much in extra fees. If the voters are looking for someone to work with them, and to listen to them in a respectful manner, that would be me."Jones said her goal is to keep reducing the number of tax foreclosures. She said it is her responsibility to collect taxes, not put people out of their homes. To achieve that, she works with people to develop a payment plan when they fall behind on their taxes. Jones said it’s about coming up with solutions."The number of tax foreclosures in the last year has been the lowest it’s been in years," Jones said. "And I’m proud of that fact."Jones said it is her goal to be of service to the public. Being a people person, she said she always gets back to people as soon as possible and even the information someone is looking for is related to another department, she said her goal is to connect the person with the right department the first time.Michalski said she has extensive knowledge of all aspects of the department and would lead by example."I have been serving the residents of Douglas County for nearly the last three decades and strive to provide quality customer service and make sure things are done accurately, timely, efficiently and according to state statutes," Michalski said.