WINCHESTER – The city treasurer and the finance commissioner want to keep their positions for at least four years.
In a joint email to The Winchester Star, incumbent Treasurer Jeffrey L. Barbour and Treasury Commissioner Ann T. Burkholder, both Republicans, announced their candidacy for the November 2nd general election. Barbour is seeking a third term of four years; Burkholder is running for fourth place.
"The people of Winchester have put their trust in voting me and I will work hard every day to earn that trust," Burkholder said in a written statement.
"I was chosen to serve and my focus is on treating all taxpayers fairly and equally through prompt and courteous customer service," wrote Barbour.
Burkholder was first elected in 2009, followed by Barbour in 2013. Most of the time, their offices were on the second floor of Rouss Town Hall, but both moved to the city's Creamery Building at 21-25 S early last year. Kent St.
A short time later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and challenged the way Burkholder and Barbour served city residents. Both offices were closed for a few weeks due to staff exposure to the coronavirus and face-to-face contact with the public was restricted due to concerns about social distancing, but operations never stopped.
Barbour wrote that he and his staff had to "think outside the box" to find different ways for them (city dwellers) to pay their taxes other than getting to the office. Two of the sources that got used quite a bit were our mailboxes in our new office … and our online payment facility on the city's website. "
“Our office has a solid track record of friendly and efficient customer service, open communication, teamwork with other departments, and performance at the highest professional level,” wrote Burkholder. "Over the past year in particular, we have worked one-on-one with taxpayers to sustain the city's much-needed revenue while addressing the challenges facing our citizens and local businesses."
"I sincerely commend all citizens for their patience and understanding during these troubled times and for finding ways to ensure their payments are paid promptly," added Barbour.
Barbour wrote that his further goals for the next four years are to work with the tax inspector to complete personal property tax settlements for the current year, provide individuals and businesses with additional ways to pay their taxes, and provide the best possible customer service Offer .
"I look forward to serving all for another four-year term and I sincerely ask for your vote on November 2nd," he wrote.
Burkholder said she plans to complete her office's transition to semi-annual wealth tax filing and work with the treasurer's office and city director's office on various customer-facing initiatives.
"As the nature of businesses changes," she wrote, "the Commissioner will play a critical role in keeping abreast of relevant tax law changes to help our community maintain economic vitality."
Since the submission date for candidates from a Virginia political party was June 8, it appears that Burkholder and Barbour will not be challenged for re-election this year unless a candidate steps forward before the November 2 election.
To learn more about this year's general election, visit the Winchester Voter Registrar & # 39; s Office online at winchesterva.gov/vote.