Two candidates running for La Plata County treasurer boasted that their professional backgrounds make them the best choice for the job.
Incumbent Allison Aichele and newcomer Erin Hutchins presented their resumes Wednesday during a candidates forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of La Plata County. About 25 people attended the forum at the Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation in downtown Durango.
Aichele, a Democrat, spoke about her extensive background working as treasurer. She has spent the last eight years as the La Plata County treasurer and has served as treasurer for various local nonprofits.
“During my tenure as treasurer, I implemented improved customer service and transparency for both the taxing authorities and the taxpayers,” Aichele said.
She said she’s given La Plata County residents the ability to pay taxes online, saying there is no need to use the post office.
“Our doors are always open to invite investors, tax managers and taxpayers into our office and we take the time to answer all of their questions thoroughly so they can understand treasury reporting,” she said.
Hutchins, an unaffiliated candidate for treasurer, cited her experience working as the La Plata County election recording administrator.
She said her career has given her the opportunity to manage a team of employees and more than 50 election judges during election cycles.
“I maintain the departmentwide books which includes the Department of Motor Vehicles, which is the second-largest revenue generator for La Plata County,” Hutchins said.
Aichele said her top priorities during the next four years include mentoring her deputy treasurer to run for the position next term and improving technology in the department.
Hutchins said her top priority as treasurer would be to fix collaboration issues among internal departments and help streamline customer service within the department, something she has heard complaints about.
“It’s extremely important that you are open and available,” Hutchins said. “Taxpayers spend a lot of money walking in to pay for property taxes.”
She said taxpayers need to have confidence in the institutions they are paying money to.
In her closing statement, Hutchins said the treasurer must be someone who can build trust with the public and provide positive leadership to decrease high turnover.
“We must ensure the highest level of customer service so our citizens feel valued,” she said. “La Plata County deserves a treasurer who can do all of these things.”
In Aichele’s closing statement, she again highlighted her experience. She said she’s been a bank auditor who understands the process and has improved customer service by welcoming taxpayers’ questions.
Aichele said the Treasurer’s Office is a professional office and party affiliation is irrelevant.
“All we can do is try to drive down cost and increase efficiency,” she said. “So ask yourself this question, would you prefer someone in this role with eight years of experience or someone with no experience in a treasury office?”
tbrown@durangoherald.com
