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Treasurer running for sixth term

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Washington County Treasurer Francis King announced Monday he is seeking re-election to a sixth four-year term in the office.

King, 70, said the main duty of the office is to collect county real estate taxes, and, in 2014, the office collected $37.7 million, plus an additional $10.05 million in previous year taxes.

“We continue to see an increase each year in the amount of online payments, in which taxpayers can pay by credit card, Visa debit or check,” King said.

A Democrat, King noted the office with a staff of seven full-time employees operated under budget every year he was in office.

“I still enjoy the work, and I have a good office staff,” King said.

The office also sells state dog licenses, with total sales of $167,262 in 2014, resulting in a $34,075 commission for the county. The office was recognized by the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement for seven years for increasing sales by more than 5 percent.

In addition, the treasurer’s office collects the county hotel tax, which continues to increase, collecting $1.68 million in 2014. The county got a 2 percent commission of $33,591.

King noted the ongoing property tax reassessment project will bring challenges when new valuations go into effect in 2017. While his office is not in charge of the project, it will send out the tax bills and collect the taxes. “We are looking at new tax software to go with the assessment,” he said.

King and his wife, Toni, live in Washington and have three grown children.

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