Story Published:
Apr 2, 2010 at 10:11 AM CST
Story Updated:
Apr 2, 2010 at 10:11 AM CST
Being an informed voter requires not only knowing something about the candidate, but knowing something about the job for which the candidate is running.
Even though the person filling the position is determined by vote, the core responsibilities are determined by state statutes and previous county decisions. It may be helpful to know what those responsibilities are in determining how to cast your vote.
The salary for this position is determined by population class. For fiscal year 2010-2011, the schedule (based on the 2000 census of 62,315) is as follows:
50,000-64,999: $69,461 - Minimum Salary
The county legislative body may set the salaries of general officers above the amounts listed, but Putnam county has historically been in alignment with the state guidelines. Salary for this position is guided by T.C.A. 8-24-102(h).
Key Job Responsibilities:
- General banker for the county
- Sends property tax statements (key revenue source for County)
- Collects taxes and issues receipts
- Appoints a delinquent tax attorney subject to approval of the mayor.
- Receives and disburses county funds, keeping accurate records for transactions
- Identifies revenues by use of a uniform chart of accounts authorized by the comptroller's office and administered by the county audit division.
- Makes disbursements of county funds on official county warrants recoreded in a warrant register book or through a checking system
- Files monthly and annual financial reports.
- Receives commissions for performing these duties as outlined in T.C.A. 8-11-110.
- Manages cash flow of the county, sometimes investing idle cash funds.
- Works with county finance committee to ensure compliance with state law and that investments produce the maximum yield with highest levels of safety.
Core Capabilities:
- Organizational skills and office management skills
- Knowledge of employee law (as office manager), and relevant state and federal laws.
- Understanding of liability, including personal and county, and of the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act.
- Familiarity with conflict of interest, ethics and disclosure laws applicable.
If you're interested in more information, a good resource is the County Technical Assistance Service. According to their website, affiliated with the University of Tennessee, the purpose of the County Technical Assistance Service is to promote better county government through direct assistance to county officials and their associations.
The CTAS web site provides county officials with easy access to information.
