Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to over 75 candidates running for elected positions in St. Joseph County and the surrounding area. In the days leading up to the Michigan Primary on August 4, Watershed will publish the questionnaires it received back to supplement our election preview. Kathy Humphreys, a Republican candidate for St. Joseph County Treasurer, filled out our questionnaire. These are her answers.
Name: Kathy Humphreys
Age: 46
Address: 60667 Railroad St., Nottawa, MI 49075
Occupation: Chief Deputy Treasurer
Incumbent: No
Family: Married to my husband Larry for 14 yrs, together we have a blended family of 5 children
How long have you resided in the area you seek to represent?
I am a lifelong resident of St. Joseph County
Why are you seeking the position of County Treasurer?
I decided to run for St. Joseph County Treasurer because I enjoy what I do and I want to continue to serve the people of St. Joseph County by taking this next step. I have over 15 years of full-time experience in the County Treasurer’s Office. I believe this experience and dedication to the office has given me what it takes to be the next St. Joseph County Treasurer. I want to continue to find ways to help our taxpayers keep their homes. I look forward to being a part of the Michigan Association of County Treasurers and keeping up on current legislation.
What is the role of a County Treasurer, and why are you uniquely qualified to fill that role?
The County Treasurer serves as the main custodian of all monies with the responsibility of investing funds while maintaining an adequate cash flow. The County Treasurer administers the State’s property tax laws, maintains all tax records and is responsible for the collecting and disbursing tax funds for the 24 local units in our county. The County Treasurer is also responsible for the sale of dog licenses, tax clearance of deeds and other documents pertaining to tax histories. By statute, the Treasurer is a member of the County Plat Board and the Election Commission.
I am uniquely qualified to fill this role because I have served full time in the office the last 15 years learning all aspects of the County Treasurer’s Office. I have taken the opportunity to advance my knowledge by accepting new/different positions when offered. I know the daily, monthly and yearly duties. I understand how the different duties of the office affect each other and have the understanding of how it all ties into the general ledger and our bank accounts. I personally have done the delinquent tax settlement with all 24 of our local units for the past 7 tax years and have been responsible in paying out the taxing authorities their delinquent taxes in full.
Are you familiar with the poverty rate in the district where you are running for office?
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Why do you think people are poor?
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What does the County Treasurer do right, and how do you intend to maintain or expand this?
The County Treasurer abides by the tax law. The County Treasurer is in the office everyday and is available to the taxpayers. She has done the best she can do with the investments following the requirements of PA 20 keeping the county funds safe and available and even helped the Road Commission earn more interest on their money by putting it into a higher interest money market account that kept funds liquid. I will continue to look for the best investment options available. I will continue to be in the office full time making myself available to our taxpayers, office staff and other county departments.
What could the County Treasurer do better, and how do you intend to facilitate this happening?
As County Treasurer I plan to work closely with our finance director and administrator to keep them informed on where we stand with account balances and legislation that could affect our budget. Along with that I would like to have more communication with the Board of Commissioners to make sure they are aware of what is happening on our end. I also plan to be more proactive with our taxpayers during the forfeiture/foreclosure process, making sure they are aware of all options available to them. I will personally make visits to their homes as just one more way to reach out to them and make sure they know all their options and to find out what kind of assistance they may need. I plan to update our website and Facebook page with more information on ways they can get help.
What is your position on the Black Lives Matter Movement?
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What do you think are the central issues behind the Black Lives Matter Movement?
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What is your position on police reform?
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What is your take on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
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What is your take on the COVID-19 response in your district?
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Do you support increased pandemic testing and tracing measures?
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What will be your response to the climbing rate of jobless claims?
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What do you think are your prospective constituents’ biggest everyday challenges?
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What measures will you work to put in place to address those challenges?
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With public revenues already significantly impacted by COVID-19 and the economy, how will you address cashflow problems for the public bodies in your district and under your watch?
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What is your favorite thing about the district in which you are running?
I love our small rural communities.
What else would you like us to know about you?
There are a handful of the above questions that, although very important, I do not feel pertain directly to the County Treasurer position. I do understand that the poverty level, racial tension, effects of COVID-19, jobless claims can have some effect on our office. I just want everyone to know that when they come into our office, they will all get the same attention to their questions/concerns.
I have a strong belief in God and His son Jesus as our savior. I desire to follow His word. A lot of the problems our world faces are because God is being taken out of our schools and ignored in society. God created all people and loves all people. All lives matter and we should all be able to express our beliefs without persecution. History should not be destroyed. We should use it as examples of what to not repeat or of what we should continue to do.
