Ventura
County has an annual budget in excess of $1.6 billion. Elected politicians decide the county's
tax rates and how the money is spent; but it's not their money. And it's not the government's money,
either.
The money belongs to you--the taxpayer.
And
while federal spending is skyrocketing and the state of California is in a
financial crisis, Ventura County is in good shape.
But
that doesn't change the fact that it's your
money. And you should be able to easily
keep an eye on it.
As Ventura
County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Judge Steven Hintz will fully disclose on the Treasurer-Tax
Collector's website a monthly summary of all tax monies collected by the office
and detail how it was distributed.
The
information will be easy to find.
Steven Hintz will add a big green button to the website labeled simply: "It's your money!" With one click, you will find
easy-to-read information that will allow you to compare the current month's financial
information with that of the previous month and even the previous year.
You'll
also find the office's Monthly Investment Report, which details how the county treasury's
average daily balance of nearly $2 billion is invested and the portfolio's
yield.
The
portfolio will be managed safely and wisely and in accordance with the
Statement of Investment Policy's objectives of safety, liquidity and earning a
competitive rate of return.
Town Halls
Want
even more disclosure? As your Treasurer-Tax
Collector, Steven Hintz will hold regular town hall meetings so that you--the
taxpayer--can ask tough questions concerning the county's finances as you see
fit.
Pay raises and perks?
No
chance. As your Treasurer-Tax
Collector, Steven Hintz will not lobby for or accept a pay raise or any
taxpayer-funded perks, such as an automobile.
After
all, it's your money.
