In what were supposed to be debates with their main opponents in the election, Nye County Assessor Sheree Stringer and candidate for Treasurer Raelyn Powers ended up answering questions and answers during the candidates’ debates held at the Bob Ruud Community Center on April 21. Wayne “Boomer” Buck, nominee for Assessor, and John Prudhont, nominee for Treasurer, were not present.
The discussions were moderated by former Nye County Republican Central Committee Chairman Joe Burdzinski. Deanna O’Donnell of local TV station KPVM was the questioner. Nearly 150 people came to hear not only the nominees for Assessor and Treasurer, but also the nominees for District 5 Commissioner and Nye County Attorney.
Powers cited 30 years of experience in accounting and three years in operations management in the treasurer’s office as well as having been a manager at Payday Loans when asked about his experience.
As for her leadership style, she enjoys educating and guiding her staff while having fun. And she believes that ethics and honesty go hand in hand.
Some of the duties of the Treasurer’s Office include issuing 60,000 tax bills, making payments to vendors, tracking grants, and distributing. On investments, she said most of her experience has been in the private sector, but if elected she would look at current investments and see if they could be put to better use.
His goals are to continue the process of streamlining the office, returning to live county property auctions, ensuring all office staff learn all areas of the office, and providing a safe environment filled with communication and respect. She swore that under her watch, the county would never again be on budget watch.
When asked if she was currently on furlough, Powers responded by saying that the employees’ union prevented her firing and that she was on furlough pending an investigation by human resources. She stressed that she had not been fired.
Stringer is seeking a third term as Nye County Assessor. She worked at the local Bank of America for 11 years, joined the appraiser’s office in 2003 and was elected an appraiser in 2015.
She listed her office’s duties as appraisals on county properties, working with the treasurer’s office and dealing with the public about changes to their appraisals. His office also does demos on its internet system, meets with local realtors, and works with veterans and the DAV. to ensure veterans know their rights and benefits.
She said any homeowner whose assessment has changed is entitled to a second assessment. She reminded everyone that much of her duties are mandated by the State Department of Taxation and Nevada’s revised statutes.
Asked about her management style, Stringer said she’s not a micromanager and, in fact, brags about her 14 employees. She has an open door policy and leads by example, being in the office from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Her goal, if elected, is to make the software system more user-friendly. She concluded by asking voters to grant her a third term and suggested that if they didn’t, they go to the clerk’s office to ask about homesteading.
Debates between candidates for County Council Districts 1 and 4 and Assembly District 36 will be held April 28 at 5 p.m. at the Bob Ruud Community Center.