Daniel H. Raley, Democratic candidate for St. Mary’s County Treasurer stopped by Baynet Radio and TheBAYNET.com to discuss his views about the Treasurer’s office and how he wants to change the office and the way it handles tax collections. Raley is locked into a primary battle with current Treasurer, Janette Norris.
When asked why, after 12 years as County Commissioner, he decided to run for Treasurer, Raley stated, “The Treasurer’s office has been under the same leadership for 16 years and very few changes have been made to the way the office operates.” Raley went on to say that even with all the significant technological advances made during those 16 years, the Treasurer’s office essentially collects taxes the same way.
“Citizens can’t leave a voice mail, they can’t pay with credit or debit cards or online and they can’t see what they owe online,” said Raley. “That needs to change. We need to get the Treasurer’s office into the 21st century to keep pace with the way people live their lives.”
Raley went on to state that not only does the County pay for extra phone lines, but that those lines are only available during business hours. “They [Treasurer’s Office] don’t use email. There is no email that is being reviewed on a daily basis to provide answers to tax payers’ questions.”
He feels that the Treasurer’s office phones and computer software need to be part of, and compatible with the County’s phone system and computer software. “The Treasurer has purchased third-party software which is serviced by a part time programmer who lives in Virginia. Our IT department is excellent and they should be controlling the Treasurer’s office software, not a part time programmer from Virginia.”
Raley stated that an integrated software system would allow tax payers to view their tax bills online prior to the payment day and with upgraded software, the county would be able to readily identify revenue trends to assist in the budgetary process. “I have firsthand knowledge of the budgeting process. Forecasting expenditures is the easy part, but forecasting revenues is the hardest part of building a budget. With an upgraded software system in place, that forecasting would be more accurate and timely than the current system.”
Raley thinks that while taxes are a fact of life, the experience should be as easy and pleasant as possible which it is not under the current system. “It is difficult paying taxes in this economy and the treasurer’s office should make that experience as easy as possible and more in tune with the way people live their lives. Right now the Treasurer’s office only accepts cash or check and you have either mail it or go into the office. That’s not how people live today.”
Raley encourages everyone who has questions about the Treasurer’s office or his candidacy to email him at daraley@md.metrocast.net, call him at (301) 994-2688 or to visit his Facebook Page.
“The current Treasurer has been working in the office for 30 years, I just want to give voters a chance for change,” said Raley.
