Wittenberg takes job at treasurer’s office before term begins
Robert Wittenberg, Oakland County Treasurer-Elect, doesn’t begin his four-year term until July 1, but that doesn’t mean the work has to wait.
The term-limited state representative from Huntington Woods was elected the county’s new treasurer in November and was recently hired as a part-time, personal property tax collector by Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner.
Meisner said the hiring of Wittenberg will allow for a smooth and thoughtful transition when he leaves office June 30. He has served as county treasurer since 2009. Unlike other countywide elected positions such as county executive, sheriff, prosecutor, water resources commissioner, and clerk, a state law sets the term for county treasurers from July 1 to June 30 in counties with populations over 1 million. The other terms are Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.
Wittenberg said he’s grateful to the voters of Oakland County and knows that this opportunity will be “very helpful” with the transition into office.
The part-time position comes with a $21 hourly wage and does not include benefits and will involve reaching out to businesses to connect them with grants, loans and available support, and to deal with any personal property tax delinquencies due to hardship. Meisner said Wittenberg has an “impeccable record of public service” and will now have the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the treasurer position and “hit the ground running come July 1, 2021.”
“On a personal note, Robert is an earnest, compassionate and extremely effective individual, and I could think of no better person to lead us going forward later this year,” said Meisner.
Before Meisner came into office July 1, 2009, he was also hired part-time into the treasurer’s office by then county treasurer Pat Dohany in the months leading up to his term beginning.