The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Incumbent Zupancic challenged for auditor seat
Democratic challenger Joe Shriver is facing Republican incumbent Ed Zupancic for the office of Lake County Auditor in the Nov. 6 general election.
As of Oct. 11, according to the Lake County Elections Board, 158,625 eligible voters will decide to retain Zupancic or elect Shriver.
The position carries a term of four years and pays an annual salary of $94, 935.
Auditors also receive 8 cents per capita for each full thousand of population for the first 20,000 and 2 cents per capita for each full thousand over 20,000, not less than $1,200 nor more than $3,000, which is paid from the undivided estate tax fund pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code.
The following are some of the candidates’ comments they gave in their election questionnaires:
Shriver
If elected, Shriver, 31, said he would hold to the many responsibilities of the office and implement accurate and efficient property assessment programs.
“Unfortunately, within the past few years, our current auditor has not done a respectable job in achieving these objectives,” Shriver added. “A major responsibility of our auditor is the promotion of tax-saving programs such as the homestead exemption and the disabled veteran’s exemption.
“Many in Lake County who qualify for these taxsaving programs may not be aware of them because the current auditor has done a poor job of advertising their availability; this is an issue that I will address immediately through public information and public outreach efforts. I believe this is essential because those who qualify, namely seniors and disabled veterans, have earned this tax relief.”
Additionally, Shriver wants to advocate the expansion
of these programs with those in state government
“Regarding home assessment and appraisals, we must insure that they are conducted accurately and efficiently,” he said. “Currently the county pays an out-of-state (Texas) company, Tyler Technologies, to appraise our properties. I will conduct a review of this vender to determine if they are best qualified for this important task. I would prefer not to outsource work from Ohio and therefore will be reviewing the capabilities of instate companies. I also want to ensure that all appraisals are accurate and opportunities to contest these appraisals exist by holding most appeal hearings during non-traditional work hours to make it convenient for working-class families to file their appeal and not take time off work to do so.”
Zupancic
Zupancic, 68, has held the position for 31 years, and believes he has demonstrated commitment to the Auditor’s Office. If re-elected, he said he promises to continue
to strive for clean audit opinions, maintain bond rating, improve the county website and continue the good working relationships with all local governments.
“I have received a clean opinion from the auditor of state every year I have been auditor,” he said. “This is important as it demonstrates strong fiscal controls and helps maintain the bond rating for Lake County. This helps the county when it borrows funds as it receives a lower rate of interest, saving the county interest charges on notes and/or bonds. I promise to strive to continue to maintain these important functions
“I have improved and increased the amount of online data available, such as CAVU/Farm Land detail, deed information and manufactured home information,” he continued. “I will strive to continue to put public information out on the website for all users.
“I am the first auditor in the history of Lake County to mail notices to taxpayers regarding changes in value of their property; the first notices were mailed to taxpayers in 1988. As auditor, I have mailed notices every three years, most recently is the 2018 revaluation. This provides the Auditor’s Office the opportunity to share the value with the taxpayer and provide the homeowner the opportunity to informally appeal and/or review their value. I believe that this is an important function of the Auditor’s Office and promise to continue this practice.”