Elect Linda S. Bolon For Columbiana County Treasurer
PRESS RELEASE: Former State Representative Linda S. Bolon Announces She Will Seek The Office of Columbiana County Treasurer
Posted: 12/06/2011
Columbiana – Former State Representative, Linda S. Bolon (D-Columbiana) confirmed today that she will be a candidate for the office of Columbiana County Treasurer, which Treasurer Nick Barborak is vacating to run for the Ohio House of Representatives. She also announced the launch of her new website: www.lindasbolon.com
Bolon served as Columbiana County Treasurer for six years and as State Representative in the 127th and 128th General Assemblies. She is currently a small business owner and the Chief Financial Officer of Capitol Development, Ltd., a consulting and energy Resource Company specializing in the needs of the emerging oil and gas industry within Northeast Ohio.
In her more than three decades of service to the citizens of Columbiana County she has served as a State Representative , County Treasurer, Councilperson, School Treasurer, Library Treasurer, and Audit Manager for the Auditor of State.
“This is a job I already know well,” Mrs. Bolon continued, “Columbiana County faces unprecedented challenges and during these difficult financial times local governments and school districts will be presented with even greater budget decisions. Therefore, it is critical to recruit leaders with strong governmental accounting backgrounds for County Treasurer positions. Treasurers are the individuals Ohioans entrust to invest and manage local funds. Treasurers must understand that government should stand by its citizens, not in their way. We must trust the entrepreneurial spirit that made this country great, encourage progress and innovation while continuing to protect Ohioans’ hard earned tax dollars. And I do.”
Having served as Treasurer for six years Bolon feels she is qualified and fully understands the challenges of the position. Back in 1999, on her first day as Treasurer she identified a balancing problem caused by a recent bank conversion and was able to quickly make the correction. She also studied the investment accounts and quickly identified a much needed change which resulted in an additional $100,000 in revenue for the County.
She improved security measures, tightened internal controls, made certain staff were cross-trained, computerized many labor intensive operations and by the time the second half tax collection was completed that year she had improved processing time by three weeks.
Mrs. Bolon designed a new tax bill which provides detailed information on how the taxpayers’ money is distributed. Bolon believes taxpayers are now better informed and can make wiser decisions on issues at the ballot box. Additionally, she designed a web site that provided the taxpayer with valuable information regarding how property is taxed and the process for filing a tax appeal.
Recognizing the condition of the office and the need to provide a more professional updated look Mrs. Bolon took on the difficult task of renovating the Treasurer’s office. With limited funds, donations from the community and hard work she was able to improve the look and functionality of the office and Treasurer’s operations.
As Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Bolon was responsible for approximately $200 million dollars which passed through the Treasurer’s office, annually. She was responsible for the collection and distribution of $50 million in real estate taxes, $8 million in personal property taxes and approximately $500,000 in manufactured home taxes annually. She was also responsible for maintaining a $40 million dollar portfolio where she carefully monitored treasury notes, agency notes, certificates of deposit, money market accounts and commercial paper.
She was also active in the State Treasurers’ Association, working on legislative issues that concerned the taxpayer. Later, as a State Representative she was known as the “go to” legislator for complicated financial legislation.
Mrs. Bolon has spent a lifetime of putting people first. She took a great deal of time working with people who were delinquent with their taxes. She was able to set up payment plans and refer individuals to credit counseling when needed. She established credit card services and installment plans to make paying taxes easier.
Mrs. Bolon stated she is happy, healthy and if elected, excited to return to her former position with greater knowledge and a more driven purpose to serve the citizens of Columbiana County to the best of her ability.
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Paid for by Friends of Linda S. Bolon | Thomas L. Bolon, Treasurer | 43 Pueblo Lane | Columbiana, Ohio 44408
