WEBVTT

1
00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:07.080
<v Speaker 1>Here it is night first one with a forecast. Got

2
00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:09.160
<v Speaker 1>a partly cloudy day with isolated chance of rain. High

3
00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:12.199
<v Speaker 1>at seventy four overnight, It's going to be partly cloudy

4
00:00:12.279 --> 00:00:14.839
<v Speaker 1>night down to fifty one. Sunday's guys, Tomorrow sixty two

5
00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:17.120
<v Speaker 1>with clear skies over night thirty seven for the low

6
00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:20.519
<v Speaker 1>and another sunny day on Sunday, highest sixty.

7
00:00:20.239 --> 00:00:21.280
<v Speaker 2>Three forty eighth degrees.

8
00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:24.679
<v Speaker 1>Right now, time for traffick update Chuck Ingram.

9
00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:26.800
<v Speaker 3>From the UC Health Tramping Center. When it comes to stroke,

10
00:00:26.879 --> 00:00:29.760
<v Speaker 3>every second counts. That's why you see Comprehensive Stroke Center

11
00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:33.159
<v Speaker 3>is your clear choice for rapid life saving treatment. Learn

12
00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:36.079
<v Speaker 3>more at you see help dot com. Step Bend seventy

13
00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:39.240
<v Speaker 3>five continues heavy through Middletown. That's thanks to the right

14
00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:42.159
<v Speaker 3>lane blocked off from debris and the roadway. Then just

15
00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:44.600
<v Speaker 3>a bit slow coming out of lock. One extra minute

16
00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:47.000
<v Speaker 3>or two is all you'll need, no delay, pass an

17
00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:50.840
<v Speaker 3>accident after Western Avenue. Chuck Ingram on fifty five KRC

18
00:00:51.000 --> 00:01:02.520
<v Speaker 3>the talk station. It is eight twenty nine. If you

19
00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:04.120
<v Speaker 3>got k see the talk station.

20
00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:07.599
<v Speaker 1>A very happy Friday to you and in studio, and

21
00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:09.319
<v Speaker 1>I always love when folks come in studio makes it

22
00:01:09.319 --> 00:01:11.480
<v Speaker 1>a lot easier to have a conversation, and a conversation

23
00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:14.000
<v Speaker 1>we will have with Jeff Baker. He is running for

24
00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:18.959
<v Speaker 1>Hamilton County Treasurer. Sometimes not an office people paying a

25
00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:21.439
<v Speaker 1>real close attention to, particularly in a presidential year when

26
00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:24.680
<v Speaker 1>the news is dominated by you know, Bernie Marino, Sherif Brown,

27
00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:27.120
<v Speaker 1>and of course Trump and Harris. But we do have

28
00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:32.280
<v Speaker 1>down ballot races, including the all important Hamilton County prosecutor race.

29
00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:37.319
<v Speaker 1>Go please and vote for status quo here we need

30
00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:40.200
<v Speaker 1>to keep Melissa Powers. But in studio running for Hamilton

31
00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:42.560
<v Speaker 1>County Treasurer, Jeff Baker. It's a pleasure to have you here, sir.

32
00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:43.560
<v Speaker 2>Thank you.

33
00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:48.079
<v Speaker 4>Brian appreciate the opportunity to come out and introduce myself

34
00:01:48.120 --> 00:01:50.239
<v Speaker 4>and talk a little bit about my campaign to those

35
00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:51.599
<v Speaker 4>who may not know who I am.

36
00:01:51.799 --> 00:01:53.760
<v Speaker 1>Well, if you want to find out more about Jeff,

37
00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:56.319
<v Speaker 1>just go to Facebook and type in Jeff Baker for

38
00:01:56.480 --> 00:01:58.439
<v Speaker 1>Hamilton County treasure It'll pop right up.

39
00:01:58.480 --> 00:01:59.000
<v Speaker 2>You'll get that.

40
00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:05.640
<v Speaker 1>So let's dive in your background qualifications for treasurer. Let

41
00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:07.840
<v Speaker 1>me hear what you got to say about that and

42
00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:08.919
<v Speaker 1>satisfy my listeners.

43
00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:12.639
<v Speaker 4>Okay, Well, first of all, a little bit about myself.

44
00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:16.120
<v Speaker 4>I am in my second term as Corean Township fiscal officer.

45
00:02:16.919 --> 00:02:22.560
<v Speaker 4>I am a Christian father of two beautiful young ladies

46
00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:28.159
<v Speaker 4>eight years old and thirteen years old, a husband, and

47
00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:32.280
<v Speaker 4>I have over thirty years experience in business and finance,

48
00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:35.560
<v Speaker 4>so it kind of goes back to runs the gamut

49
00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:38.879
<v Speaker 4>from banking to insurance. I was a small business owner

50
00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:42.039
<v Speaker 4>for a while, and I've been involved in government here

51
00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:44.879
<v Speaker 4>locally for about thirteen years.

52
00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:48.879
<v Speaker 1>Fair enough, sounds me a good financial background. Well enough anyway,

53
00:02:48.919 --> 00:02:53.280
<v Speaker 1>But let me ask you this. As Hamilton County Treasurer,

54
00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:57.479
<v Speaker 1>you obviously running for a reason. You see something that's amiss.

55
00:02:58.360 --> 00:03:00.800
<v Speaker 1>What do you see that needs to be trained, ins form, change,

56
00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:04.520
<v Speaker 1>or otherwise made better through let's say your leadership?

57
00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:05.159
<v Speaker 2>Sure?

58
00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:09.639
<v Speaker 4>Well, For first of all, the Treasurer's office currently is

59
00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:14.479
<v Speaker 4>in dire need of professional leadership. And why I say

60
00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:18.360
<v Speaker 4>that is you know, there are three main characteristics of

61
00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:22.039
<v Speaker 4>the Treasurer's office. There is obviously the proper collection of

62
00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:26.199
<v Speaker 4>property taxes, the safe keeping of those property taxes, and

63
00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:30.120
<v Speaker 4>the proper disbursement. So whether that disbursement is going to

64
00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:33.400
<v Speaker 4>the local school district or the zoo or the library

65
00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:36.400
<v Speaker 4>or where wherever it may be. You have to ensure

66
00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:41.439
<v Speaker 4>that the correct funds are going to the proper disbursement.

67
00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:44.960
<v Speaker 4>So I want to key on a couple of things.

68
00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:47.319
<v Speaker 4>First of all, I think that there's a lack of

69
00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:52.000
<v Speaker 4>transparency in the office. I think that Hamilton County property

70
00:03:52.039 --> 00:03:55.479
<v Speaker 4>tax owners have a right to know where the funds

71
00:03:55.520 --> 00:03:58.439
<v Speaker 4>are sitting, where they're being what they're being invested in,

72
00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:04.319
<v Speaker 4>and if they're properly kept safe. And it's come to

73
00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:09.159
<v Speaker 4>my attention, well it's public record, but there is currently

74
00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:14.080
<v Speaker 4>a case in Common Police Court where an employee has

75
00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:19.560
<v Speaker 4>been indicted on felony theft charges. And you know, you

76
00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:23.720
<v Speaker 4>can't necessarily blame the leadership for someone that's going to steal.

77
00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:26.759
<v Speaker 4>But what I believe you can do is do a

78
00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:29.399
<v Speaker 4>better job of having safety nets in place to keep

79
00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:32.720
<v Speaker 4>those employees from being able to steal, such as being

80
00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:36.759
<v Speaker 4>able to run void receipts. Someone comes in and makes

81
00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:40.319
<v Speaker 4>a cash payment for their property taxes. That person that's

82
00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:43.399
<v Speaker 4>taking that property tax payment should not have the ability

83
00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:47.000
<v Speaker 4>to put that cash in the drawer and later in

84
00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:49.560
<v Speaker 4>the day run a void receipt for that transaction and

85
00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:52.759
<v Speaker 4>pocket the money, and oh wow, that can be done

86
00:04:52.839 --> 00:04:55.639
<v Speaker 4>under the current it can and has. Is that the

87
00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:58.079
<v Speaker 4>allegation involved in the suit you're referring to, Oh okay,

88
00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:00.959
<v Speaker 4>and it's actually not a law suit. It's actually a

89
00:05:00.959 --> 00:05:03.040
<v Speaker 4>felony theft charge.

90
00:05:03.160 --> 00:05:06.600
<v Speaker 1>Well stated, it's a criminal charge.

91
00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:09.720
<v Speaker 4>So not only that, but I've also heard from people

92
00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:13.600
<v Speaker 4>regarding this case that have tried to request public records

93
00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:16.959
<v Speaker 4>and they've been ignored. You know, as a as a

94
00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:18.800
<v Speaker 4>fiscal officer in Corny Township, I can tell you that

95
00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:21.680
<v Speaker 4>you can't just ignore public records requests.

96
00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:23.439
<v Speaker 2>We get a lot.

97
00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:27.560
<v Speaker 4>I'm sure other townships do as well, but I respond

98
00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:29.839
<v Speaker 4>probably to about five hundred public records requests a year,

99
00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:31.879
<v Speaker 4>so I know how important it is, and I know

100
00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:34.279
<v Speaker 4>the ramifications of not providing those.

101
00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:36.920
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, and I was just gonna say, there are I mean,

102
00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:39.279
<v Speaker 1>there are laws on the books that obligate you to

103
00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:42.480
<v Speaker 1>respond to public relectate records requests within a certain time

104
00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:43.480
<v Speaker 1>parameter are there not.

105
00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:46.519
<v Speaker 4>It's a little vague in terms of specific time, but

106
00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:50.279
<v Speaker 4>it's within a reasonable manner, and when you're talking about

107
00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:53.399
<v Speaker 4>the county level, that reasonable manner should be pretty quickly.

108
00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:57.399
<v Speaker 4>You know, this this allegation happened back in February and

109
00:05:57.480 --> 00:06:00.680
<v Speaker 4>wasn't reported until April, So you got to question yourself

110
00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:03.079
<v Speaker 4>as to why it took so long for anything to

111
00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:06.120
<v Speaker 4>be done about it. And if I could add a

112
00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:08.959
<v Speaker 4>little bit to that, you know, the current treasure has

113
00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:11.480
<v Speaker 4>been in office for less than four years, and I

114
00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:15.439
<v Speaker 4>think back of the twenty or so years that the

115
00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:20.360
<v Speaker 4>previous treasurer was in office, Robert Gerring, and I can't

116
00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:22.959
<v Speaker 4>think of a single time that someone was indicted on

117
00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:25.560
<v Speaker 4>filling and theft charges because it didn't happen, right, So

118
00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:28.480
<v Speaker 4>it boils down to and again, you know, you can't

119
00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:31.680
<v Speaker 4>blame any individual for someone else winning to steal. But

120
00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:33.240
<v Speaker 4>what you have to do is you have to be

121
00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:36.399
<v Speaker 4>more involved. Best practices, yes, and you have to have

122
00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:38.360
<v Speaker 4>safety nets in place to keep them from being able

123
00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:40.399
<v Speaker 4>to do so. And as a treasurer, I could tell

124
00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:42.720
<v Speaker 4>you I will do that. I will make sure that

125
00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:45.839
<v Speaker 4>you can't print avoid receipt. I'll do that on day one.

126
00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:48.879
<v Speaker 2>It sounds like a simple solution. Tell you what.

127
00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:51.079
<v Speaker 1>We'll pause, we take a break here, we'll continue with

128
00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:53.639
<v Speaker 1>Jeff Baker running for Hamilton County Treasurer again. Check them

129
00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:57.000
<v Speaker 1>out online at Jeff Baker four, Hamilton County Treasurer on Facebook.

130
00:06:58.120 --> 00:06:59.720
<v Speaker 1>Stick around right here fifty five k SE.

131
00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:04.480
<v Speaker 4>The Talk station fifty five KRC, Vote for sure.

132
00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:07.480
<v Speaker 2>There it is.

133
00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:09.720
<v Speaker 1>In my first twenty one forecast, we have a partly

134
00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:12.639
<v Speaker 1>cloudy day to day, possible isolated rain in the highest

135
00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:15.360
<v Speaker 1>seventy four every night, down a fifty one, partly cloudy skies,

136
00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:19.240
<v Speaker 1>sunny the weekend. Both days will be SUNNYCA high of

137
00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:21.560
<v Speaker 1>sixty two on Saturday, and we'll see a high of

138
00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:23.879
<v Speaker 1>sixty three on Sunday and sandwich in the middle of

139
00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:26.879
<v Speaker 1>overnight low of thirty seven with clear skies forty eight

140
00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:28.319
<v Speaker 1>degrees Right now. Traffic time.

141
00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:33.160
<v Speaker 3>From the UC Health Traffic Center. When it comes to stroke,

142
00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:36.199
<v Speaker 3>every second counts. That's why U see Comprehension Stroke Centers,

143
00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:39.120
<v Speaker 3>your clear choice for rapid life saving treatment. Learn more

144
00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:42.720
<v Speaker 3>at UCHealth dot com. After a rough start this morning,

145
00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:45.720
<v Speaker 3>highway traffic in pretty good shape right now South Pound

146
00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:48.279
<v Speaker 3>seventy five. The last of the slow go and that's

147
00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:51.120
<v Speaker 3>just for an extra minute or through Lachland. There's no

148
00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:55.079
<v Speaker 3>delay passed. What's left of an accident near Western Avenue.

149
00:07:55.279 --> 00:07:58.160
<v Speaker 3>Chuck Ingram on fifty five KRC, The Talk station.

150
00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:04.160
<v Speaker 1>Hey, thirty eight and fifty five krs the talk station.

151
00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:07.639
<v Speaker 1>Hope you're having a wonderful Friday. We've you got some

152
00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:09.720
<v Speaker 1>great plans going on for the weekend too. Oh and

153
00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:11.480
<v Speaker 1>real quick here before you get back to Jeff Baker,

154
00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:14.600
<v Speaker 1>who is running for Hamilton County treasure My friend Maureen

155
00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:17.959
<v Speaker 1>wanted to remind folks, and I'm certain she is accurate

156
00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:23.720
<v Speaker 1>that the Bernie Marino Tucker Carlson event, which originally was

157
00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:26.480
<v Speaker 1>slated to kick off at doors open at noon, kicking

158
00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:29.079
<v Speaker 1>off at one. Now she told me the doors are

159
00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:31.959
<v Speaker 1>actually opening at eleven and the event begins at noon.

160
00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:33.600
<v Speaker 1>So if you're planning on going to that, you got

161
00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:35.960
<v Speaker 1>to arrive on early. You have to RSVP and check

162
00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:37.600
<v Speaker 1>in and all that. So I just want to let

163
00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:39.120
<v Speaker 1>you know, put a little of that out there as

164
00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:43.320
<v Speaker 1>valuable information so you're not late. Back to Jeff Baker

165
00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:46.480
<v Speaker 1>on his page at Facebook, Jeff Baker for Hamlon County

166
00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:52.600
<v Speaker 1>treasure Treasurer is not responsible for setting the tax rate.

167
00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:55.519
<v Speaker 2>Do you just pick? You just the collector, right, That's

168
00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:56.120
<v Speaker 2>that's right.

169
00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.919
<v Speaker 1>You know, I don't want to go to bibylical references

170
00:08:58.919 --> 00:09:04.440
<v Speaker 1>about tax collectors, but you didn't set the rate of taxes.

171
00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:06.840
<v Speaker 2>That is true, That is true, or what you won't.

172
00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:08.000
<v Speaker 1>Set or be your treasure does not.

173
00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:09.519
<v Speaker 2>I should more properly say.

174
00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:12.679
<v Speaker 4>That's right, and as Hamilton County treasure I won't for

175
00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:15.320
<v Speaker 4>those listening who think, oh I know that guy, he

176
00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:17.799
<v Speaker 4>can help me out of my tax bill. There isn't

177
00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:23.519
<v Speaker 4>anything that the Treasure can do regarding what the taxes

178
00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:27.559
<v Speaker 4>are assessed at. However, I feel like there is an

179
00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:30.519
<v Speaker 4>ability for the Treasure to be an advocate for those

180
00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:33.240
<v Speaker 4>property owners. And when I say that is because it's

181
00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:36.399
<v Speaker 4>up to the Treasure when those assessments are collected and

182
00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:40.639
<v Speaker 4>if someone has a dispute, which a lot of people

183
00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:45.440
<v Speaker 4>will have recently regarding the twenty twenty three assessments. When

184
00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:49.720
<v Speaker 4>you have people who have those disputes, I think that

185
00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:54.120
<v Speaker 4>it should be a common practice to allow them to

186
00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:57.080
<v Speaker 4>go through the dispute process before paying that property tax

187
00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:58.639
<v Speaker 4>and not having to just go ahead and pay it

188
00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:00.159
<v Speaker 4>and say, okay, we'll figure it out later.

189
00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:02.919
<v Speaker 1>It seems to be the proper order of things. Yes,

190
00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:06.200
<v Speaker 1>there's a time value of money in that homeowner can

191
00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:08.759
<v Speaker 1>keep the money in his or her possession until the

192
00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:09.879
<v Speaker 1>whole thing's adjudicated.

193
00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.360
<v Speaker 2>So I like that idea.

194
00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:15.360
<v Speaker 4>That's right, and and the the current Treasurer is telling

195
00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:18.240
<v Speaker 4>those individuals that, you know, there's nothing I can do,

196
00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:20.639
<v Speaker 4>you know, the state requires me to collect these in

197
00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:23.159
<v Speaker 4>a certain and a certain time print that that that

198
00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:29.200
<v Speaker 4>actually is inaccurate. In fact, the the assessment appeal process

199
00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:32.720
<v Speaker 4>has set timelines as well, and those are being delayed.

200
00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:38.879
<v Speaker 4>So if the assessment, uh, you know, reevaluations per se

201
00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:41.799
<v Speaker 4>can be put off, then so can the payments. And

202
00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:45.279
<v Speaker 4>I think that that's where the advocacy of the current

203
00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:48.320
<v Speaker 4>treasures is falling short. And I think you have to

204
00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:51.000
<v Speaker 4>be you have to understand, you know, when when she

205
00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:53.279
<v Speaker 4>makes a blanket statement that, oh, they're only they've only

206
00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:56.720
<v Speaker 4>gone up ten percent, well, I don't know where that

207
00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:59.679
<v Speaker 4>figure is coming from, because mine went up more.

208
00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:02.519
<v Speaker 1>Than Yeah, a lot of people had a thirty percent bump,

209
00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:03.480
<v Speaker 1>some even more.

210
00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:07.399
<v Speaker 4>Yes, it's it's it's it's been extreme. And I believe

211
00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:11.399
<v Speaker 4>there will be you know, some laws in place to

212
00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:14.360
<v Speaker 4>limit those with at the state house level. But we

213
00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:16.120
<v Speaker 4>can only hope, you know, we can only hope.

214
00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:18.840
<v Speaker 1>But yeah, like, no more than x percent in any

215
00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:22.519
<v Speaker 1>given kind of you know, assessment period. I mean, there

216
00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:25.919
<v Speaker 1>has to be a limit to as long as there's

217
00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:29.399
<v Speaker 1>limited property and a unlimited demand. You know, the loss

218
00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:31.679
<v Speaker 1>is applying to mand the price of those homes just

219
00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:32.879
<v Speaker 1>going to continue to go up.

220
00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:35.320
<v Speaker 2>That's right, that's right, And it's it.

221
00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:37.799
<v Speaker 4>You know, from the outside looking in, I would see

222
00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:39.960
<v Speaker 4>I can see where some people might say, well, it

223
00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:42.960
<v Speaker 4>looks to me like it's a cash crab. Well, we'll

224
00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:46.279
<v Speaker 4>correct it later, we'll lower them later, but in the

225
00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:48.399
<v Speaker 4>meantime we're going to collect a little bit of extra money.

226
00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:50.440
<v Speaker 4>And I don't know, you know, I don't have any

227
00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:52.000
<v Speaker 4>proof of that. I don't know if that's the case

228
00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.759
<v Speaker 4>or not, but that's certainly what it what it looks like.

229
00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:57.799
<v Speaker 1>Well, and I personally don't have any proof whatsoever that

230
00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:00.919
<v Speaker 1>the auditor's office has done anything unto in terms of

231
00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:03.600
<v Speaker 1>the valuation of the property. Sure, they got comps in

232
00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:05.600
<v Speaker 1>the area, they know what things have sold for, they're

233
00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:09.559
<v Speaker 1>good at valuing the market and so. And it's really

234
00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:11.159
<v Speaker 1>not like the old days where you can just make

235
00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:13.360
<v Speaker 1>a phone call to your buddy in the auditor's office

236
00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:15.320
<v Speaker 1>and have your taxes lowered. My dad used to take

237
00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:18.039
<v Speaker 1>advantage of that. He's dead now, so he's not going

238
00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:20.759
<v Speaker 1>to have to suffer any consequences. But there was cronyism

239
00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:23.440
<v Speaker 1>back in the old days. But that's I would say

240
00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:26.159
<v Speaker 1>that that process, I suppose he is more transparent, even

241
00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:28.879
<v Speaker 1>though the news is really really bad for the tax payer.

242
00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:30.440
<v Speaker 2>Well, you would think.

243
00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:33.759
<v Speaker 4>Going back to the transparency issue, though, I think if

244
00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:38.200
<v Speaker 4>you go online to the treasure's office, there is little

245
00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:40.320
<v Speaker 4>to no information that you can find out about what

246
00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:42.559
<v Speaker 4>you're paying and where your money is going, or what

247
00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:46.200
<v Speaker 4>it's being invested in, or how it's being dispersed. In fact,

248
00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:48.399
<v Speaker 4>I would argue that the only thing that you will

249
00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:53.639
<v Speaker 4>see is the contact address for the treasure's office and

250
00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:57.200
<v Speaker 4>a nice picture of the current treasure I think taxpayers

251
00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.840
<v Speaker 4>deserve more than that. I think they should be able

252
00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:02.960
<v Speaker 4>to go on and see where those funds are being

253
00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:07.279
<v Speaker 4>invested in, where they sit, when they're being dispersed. And

254
00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:10.919
<v Speaker 4>I will go a step further. I will ensure that

255
00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:14.039
<v Speaker 4>you don't unless it's mandatory. I will make sure that

256
00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:15.559
<v Speaker 4>you don't have to look at a picture of me

257
00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:18.600
<v Speaker 4>when you log on. It will show something else that's

258
00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:21.399
<v Speaker 4>that's nicer looking, you know, maybe a picture of the

259
00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.399
<v Speaker 4>city or something.

260
00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:25.080
<v Speaker 1>Like that I always joke I have a face for radio.

261
00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:29.440
<v Speaker 1>So yeah, it's like here, hell's let's focus for a

262
00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:31.840
<v Speaker 1>moment on this whole component of investment because I asked

263
00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:35.240
<v Speaker 1>you off, Mike, I said, are these in fact investment invested?

264
00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:37.440
<v Speaker 1>And you said yes, and of course subject to rules

265
00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:40.519
<v Speaker 1>and regulations and whys and wherefores. But you know, much

266
00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:44.360
<v Speaker 1>like the railroad sale resulted in the money being placed

267
00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:47.080
<v Speaker 1>in an investment account and hopefully it makes a lot

268
00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:50.720
<v Speaker 1>of money and interest for the city, these dollars just

269
00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:54.480
<v Speaker 1>don't sit in a just plate plane, zero interest cash

270
00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:57.919
<v Speaker 1>pile waiting for it to be dispersed. They're actually invested.

271
00:13:57.960 --> 00:14:02.039
<v Speaker 1>Are you Does the Treasurer have control over who manages

272
00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.480
<v Speaker 1>those funds in the investments?

273
00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:03.879
<v Speaker 2>Well?

274
00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:08.159
<v Speaker 4>Yes, part of the part of the safe keeping aspect

275
00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:11.639
<v Speaker 4>of the Treasure's office is making sure that the funds

276
00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:14.759
<v Speaker 4>are safely invested, that they're not just sitting there in

277
00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:17.000
<v Speaker 4>an account waiting to be spent, that you're actually getting

278
00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:20.679
<v Speaker 4>some return on them. But there are limits, and there

279
00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:24.639
<v Speaker 4>are many regulations as to what you can invest those in,

280
00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:26.399
<v Speaker 4>what type of funds you can invest those in.

281
00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:28.360
<v Speaker 2>Okay, so.

282
00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:34.279
<v Speaker 1>I suppose within the limits that you mentioned there the

283
00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:37.159
<v Speaker 1>legal limits. Okay, you can only invest in this type

284
00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:39.279
<v Speaker 1>of you know, double A rated whatever kind of fund.

285
00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:43.559
<v Speaker 1>Do you have control over where the money is invested

286
00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:46.480
<v Speaker 1>within the confines of the law, sure, okay, yes you would.

287
00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:49.120
<v Speaker 1>And investment advisors are they retained to do this or

288
00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:49.840
<v Speaker 1>is it just the soule?

289
00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.440
<v Speaker 2>Okay?

290
00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:53.639
<v Speaker 4>And and and again those are those are limited to

291
00:14:55.960 --> 00:15:00.200
<v Speaker 4>being approved through the right through the right orders. But

292
00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:04.639
<v Speaker 4>you do have certain you know, I I you know,

293
00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:06.679
<v Speaker 4>you do have certain decisions that you can make as

294
00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.840
<v Speaker 4>as treasure as to to what to invest those in.

295
00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:10.960
<v Speaker 4>You just have to be careful and you're limited to

296
00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:13.519
<v Speaker 4>some of those. But again it goes back to no

297
00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:16.000
<v Speaker 4>one would know that because you can't find that information

298
00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:17.039
<v Speaker 4>out currently, right.

299
00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:21.000
<v Speaker 1>So you're running on a campaign of transparency and I

300
00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:24.039
<v Speaker 1>supposed to a certain degree best practices at least in

301
00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:27.279
<v Speaker 1>so far as security of the money is concerned.

302
00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:32.840
<v Speaker 4>Right and and being available again, I've i've I've seen

303
00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:36.679
<v Speaker 4>reports and heard from people personally. You know, when you're

304
00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:38.519
<v Speaker 4>when you're putting yourself out there and you're running for

305
00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:42.960
<v Speaker 4>an office and you know, uh, someone else has an

306
00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:46.159
<v Speaker 4>objection to how that office is being run, you get

307
00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:48.679
<v Speaker 4>contacted by people, and I've I've I've been contacted by

308
00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:50.759
<v Speaker 4>individuals who have said, look, I've tried to reach out

309
00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:54.320
<v Speaker 4>and speak to the treasure and they've flat up. Untild

310
00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:57.240
<v Speaker 4>there's there's under no circumstances will you be able to

311
00:15:57.320 --> 00:16:00.960
<v Speaker 4>speak with the Hamilton County treasure And I told you

312
00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:03.799
<v Speaker 4>off air too. I know that it's not possible just

313
00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:05.720
<v Speaker 4>to say, Okay, I'm just gonna sit around and I'll

314
00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:08.759
<v Speaker 4>let anybody contact me whenever they want. That's not you know,

315
00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:12.360
<v Speaker 4>that's not that possible either. But at the same time,

316
00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:14.960
<v Speaker 4>I would never sit here and say can't talk, you

317
00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:17.919
<v Speaker 4>can't contact me. I will make myself available, and I

318
00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:21.559
<v Speaker 4>will make sure that ham Much County property tax payers

319
00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.840
<v Speaker 4>have the ability to reach out to the person who's

320
00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:26.519
<v Speaker 4>in charge of the safe keeping of those funds if

321
00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:29.039
<v Speaker 4>they need to have a conversation. I will make myself

322
00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:33.679
<v Speaker 4>I can assure you that I will make myself available

323
00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.559
<v Speaker 4>to those taxpayers.

324
00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:37.840
<v Speaker 1>All right, And back to your point about not having

325
00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:41.320
<v Speaker 1>to pay the tax bill. While your claim for lowering

326
00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:45.840
<v Speaker 1>the tax rate is being adjudicated, that review process, that's

327
00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:46.879
<v Speaker 1>the review is done.

328
00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.679
<v Speaker 2>By the Auditor's office.

329
00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:50.360
<v Speaker 1>Correct, Correct, So you would have to coordinate and play

330
00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:53.240
<v Speaker 1>nicely with the Auditor's office to accomplish your goal, because

331
00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:56.440
<v Speaker 1>I suspect that would force the auditor to have to

332
00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:59.240
<v Speaker 1>do a quicker review of the appeal.

333
00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:02.480
<v Speaker 4>There's a board that that does that as well, and

334
00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:05.160
<v Speaker 4>the auditor is part of that. Yes, and quite honestly,

335
00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:08.880
<v Speaker 4>the auditor and treasurer work very closely together on a

336
00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:12.279
<v Speaker 4>daily imagine, on a daily basis, so when a cash

337
00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:15.079
<v Speaker 4>strawers turned in each day at the Treasurer's office, that

338
00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:21.799
<v Speaker 4>those funds are are double checked and accounted for also

339
00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:24.160
<v Speaker 4>by the treasure or by the by the Auditor's office.

340
00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.799
<v Speaker 2>So they work that closely together.

341
00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:31.640
<v Speaker 4>A lot of the the programs that are used are

342
00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:34.359
<v Speaker 4>are intertwined together between the.

343
00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.839
<v Speaker 2>Treasure's office and the Auditor's office.

344
00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:38.759
<v Speaker 4>There's I would be working very closely with the Hamley

345
00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:42.200
<v Speaker 4>County Auditor to ensure that the money is where.

346
00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:44.400
<v Speaker 2>It's supposed to be and it's being invested in where

347
00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:44.960
<v Speaker 2>it's supposed to be.

348
00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:47.400
<v Speaker 4>I just I just feel like the the Hamilton County

349
00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:49.599
<v Speaker 4>property tax payers should be able to see that as well.

350
00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:52.119
<v Speaker 1>Now, fair enough, it's our money, we certainly should I'm

351
00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:54.559
<v Speaker 1>a firm believer in transparency, maybe even more than some

352
00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:57.799
<v Speaker 1>people are even comfortable with. And so before we part company,

353
00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:01.799
<v Speaker 1>Jeff Baker again, it's Jeff Baker for Hamilton Treasurer Online.

354
00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:05.119
<v Speaker 1>I remember one of the things Dusty Rhodes. He ran

355
00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:07.319
<v Speaker 1>as a Democrat. We all know dust he's probably more

356
00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:10.240
<v Speaker 1>conservative than most Republicans in a listening audience, but he

357
00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:13.880
<v Speaker 1>was able to shrink the size of his office through

358
00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:16.920
<v Speaker 1>natural attrition. He thought they were overstaffed. He didn't go

359
00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:20.240
<v Speaker 1>around just firing everyone, but when people left, he didn't replace,

360
00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:23.400
<v Speaker 1>So the place got smaller, but it also got more efficient.

361
00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:26.640
<v Speaker 1>So my question to you is do you perceive the

362
00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:31.160
<v Speaker 1>Treasure's office as having is overstaffed like so many government

363
00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:33.599
<v Speaker 1>offices are. Do you believe it'd be adequately staffed right

364
00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:35.279
<v Speaker 1>now or is it something that you'd have to look

365
00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.759
<v Speaker 1>under the hood once you're elected.

366
00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:40.319
<v Speaker 4>Probably the latter statement. I think I would have to

367
00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:45.839
<v Speaker 4>evaluate that when I'm there. It's not exactly a huge

368
00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:49.960
<v Speaker 4>office at the moment. Anyway, twenty some employees, I want

369
00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:54.960
<v Speaker 4>to say, but again, there's no organizational chart online, so

370
00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:58.559
<v Speaker 4>you really can't find that information out well, or the.

371
00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.440
<v Speaker 2>Budget for that matter.

372
00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:04.240
<v Speaker 4>But that would certainly be as someone that is considers

373
00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:08.480
<v Speaker 4>himself very fiscally conservative, that would certainly be one of

374
00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:10.359
<v Speaker 4>the very first areas I would look at to see

375
00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:13.119
<v Speaker 4>if there's a way to save money, because the money

376
00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:16.160
<v Speaker 4>that you're saving in that office ultimately goes back to

377
00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:18.759
<v Speaker 4>the taxpayers of Hamilton County and exactly, and that's what

378
00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:20.839
<v Speaker 4>your responsibility is as a treasurer.

379
00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:23.039
<v Speaker 1>Maybe I should have established at the outset that you

380
00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:26.640
<v Speaker 1>are fiscally responsible and that motivates you, because I just

381
00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:29.000
<v Speaker 1>took it for granted. Ed Ye, how you got the

382
00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:32.640
<v Speaker 1>Hamilton Kunty Republican endorsement? You are on the pink slip right.

383
00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:35.079
<v Speaker 2>I am, And I'm also endorsed by the FOP.

384
00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:38.279
<v Speaker 1>Oh wonderful, that always is a solid endorsement here on

385
00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:40.319
<v Speaker 1>the fifty five KC Morning Show because we do love

386
00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:43.000
<v Speaker 1>our law enforcement officers. Well, Jeff, I wish you all

387
00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:46.440
<v Speaker 1>the best rapidly approaching the election we are, but given

388
00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:50.839
<v Speaker 1>the seemingly more conservative shift the nation might be going

389
00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:53.079
<v Speaker 1>through right now, got a good chance of winning. And

390
00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:54.480
<v Speaker 1>if you do, I sure hope you do a great

391
00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:56.400
<v Speaker 1>job as the Hamilton County treasure.

392
00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:59.680
<v Speaker 4>I certainly appreciate it and I look forward to being

393
00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:01.160
<v Speaker 4>hamlet I know you do.

394
00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:03.319
<v Speaker 1>Jeff Baker. Great having you in the studio, and thanks

395
00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:05.200
<v Speaker 1>again for the effort on that one. Folks will have

396
00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.920
<v Speaker 1>a couple of minutes left when we get back, and

397
00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:09.000
<v Speaker 1>we will be back in just a couple of minutes.

398
00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:11.559
<v Speaker 4>Stay right here at fifty five Karsiti Talk Station fifty

399
00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:13.079
<v Speaker 4>five KRC some