Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes
Description:
Receiver of Taxes
Candidates (choose 1):
Jeanine C. Driscoll
Party: REP, CON, IND, TRP
Biographical Info:
Campaign Phone: (917) 543-0916
Campaign Web Site: https://www.driscollforreceiver.com
Campaign Email: jeaninedriscoll92@gmail.com
City/Town of Residence: Bellerose Village
Prior Civic Service: Associate Village Justice, Village of Bellerose, Nassau County President, Junior Women’s Club of Bellerose, NY General Federation of Women’s Clubs President, Floral Park Memorial PTSA Member, Our Lady of Victory Parish Council
Questions:
Q: What, if anything, would you do to improve the convenience and efficiency of the payment of taxes?
A: I plan to bring the same type of innovation to the Receiver’s job that has distinguished the current Receiver of Taxes, Donald Clavin’s, work at the office. I will focus my efforts on educating more taxpayers about the efficient innovations that are available and encourage them to utilize these methods to pay their taxes and keep track of their billing. This past December, the Receiver of Taxes unveiled the office’s new “AutoPay” feature. It is the first of its kind on Long Island and allows taxpayers to have their school and general tax bills automatically made through credit card or bank accounts. I would continue these types of efficient programs. Also, the Receiver of Taxes office is the first in the State of New York to offer e-Bills, which is an environmentally friendly program that delivers paperless property tax bills to residents through home computers, tablets or mobile devices. I would focus my efforts on encouraging more people to sign up for e-bills and to pay their taxes through the AutoPay feature in order to run the office in a more efficient and environmentally conscious manner. Finally, I would continue the “E-Z Pay” Drive-Thru, which allows homeowners to pay their taxes without leaving their cars and investigate ways to make this even more efficient. At the current time, the Department issues a bill for General Taxes in January and another bill for school taxes in October. The office also sends reminders to parcel owners with unpaid second half taxes 40 days prior to these taxes being due. I would like to eventually have this process done completely online via email and/or on-line alerts.
Q: What is the most pressing issue facing the Office of the Receiver of Taxes and how would you address it?
A: The most pressing issue facing the Receiver of Taxes office is high property taxes and finding more ways to assist taxpayers in lowering their tax burden. Taxpayers face tax increases from various levels of government, and hundreds of thousands of Nassau homeowners are facing a back-door property tax increase in the form of the County Executive’s mismanaged reassessment project. The Receiver of Taxes in Hempstead Town must play a pivotal role in helping residents to reduce their tax burden, answering questions about property taxes and advocating for them in the face of the County Executive’s reassessment project. In the face of high property taxes, it is critical to continue hosting extensive taxpayer forums across the town to show homeowners how to lower their taxes. These seminars will give detailed direction on challenging erroneous tax assessments, which can save residents thousands of dollars. Also, it is important to continue instructional programs on applying for property tax exemptions. These exemptions include senior citizens, veterans, home improvement, limited income and disability.
Q: If elected, how would you go about streamlining the operations of that department?
A: As the Receiver of Taxes, I would streamline the operations of the office by continuing to encourage taxpayers to receive e-bills and pay their taxes online. Also, I would encourage the employees to work as efficiently as possible to assist taxpayers in paying their bills and answering inquiries. I would also investigate other options or incentives for taxpayers to make sure they pay their bills on time. For example, at the current time, residents may pay both halves of their general taxes at once and receive a 1% discount on their 1st half general taxes. I would focus my efforts on educating more taxpayers about the efficient innovations that are available and encourage them to utilize these methods to pay their taxes and keep track of their billing.
Chandra Ortiz
Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Campaign Phone: (516) 623-6161
Campaign Web Site: https://chandramortiz.com
Campaign Email: chandramortiz@gmail.com
City/Town of Residence: Baldwin/ Town of Hempstead
Prior Civic Service: Member Theta Iota Omega Chapter-Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; Member Nassau County Bar Association;
Questions:
Q: What, if anything, would you do to improve the convenience and efficiency of the payment of taxes?
A: In order to improve the convenience and efficiency of the payment of taxes, I would first evaluate the current methods to assess its effectiveness relating to convenience and costs. I would evaluate the current costs and expenses associated with all electronic payment, for ways to save on convenience fees currently charged to Taxpayers. I would explore ways to reduce carbon footprint by researching and reviewing available utilization of green and modern technology. I would explore if this office may utilize any of the Town’s available new apps to make payment(s) even more convenient and costs effective to Taxpayers. I would also further consider creating incentives for Taxpayers to consider paying taxes during off-peak hours.
Q: What is the most pressing issue facing the Office of the Receiver of Taxes and how would you address it?
A: I believe the most pressing issue facing this Office is budgetary considerations. Concerns for budget increases and expanding budget lines are crucial considerations for any governmental agency. Proper budgeting considerations and adhering to those budget considerations are absolute necessities to help reduce town taxes. For example, more costs effective methods can and should be used when disseminating information to Taxpayers. Numerous colored multi-fold printings and mailings are unnecessary expenses to Taxpayers. The use of colored multi-fold printings and mailings should be responsibly evaluated. Informational literature mailings are expensive and should be used responsibly to protect taxpayers’ funds, and to reduce the detrimental effects on the environment.
Q: If elected, how would you go about streamlining the operations of that department?
A: If elected, as a priority I would immediately meet with each unit to review and evaluate its functions and its outsourcing relationships/contracts, if any. This would allow me to determine the most efficient manner to streamline operations while simultaneously working to provide gold standard services to Taxpayers. Such a review is likely to reveal logistical functioning that can provide necessary services and information at the best available costs. I would also seek to engage employees in this process. Evaluating and properly utilizing the talents of employees, within respective civil service capacities, is key to streamlining efforts; rendering the ability to work within budgets and thereby reducing use of tax dollars and contributing to lowering town taxes.
