Issues
STRENGTHEN IT or ABOLISH IT?
According to the Texas Association of Counties:
The county treasurer is the county’s banker.
The county treasurer, as the chief custodian of county finance, shall:
- Receive all monies belonging to the county from whatever source;
- Keep and account for all monies in a designated depository; and
- Pay and apply or disburse all monies in such a manner as commissioners court may direct, by law.
All receipts of any official belonging to the county must be turned over to the county treasurer daily. The county treasurer often acts as the chief liaison between the county and all depository banks. In this capacity, he or she maintains records of all deposits and withdrawals, and reconciles all bank statements, thus assuring their accuracy and the safety of county funds. The county treasurer, who may be designated as the county’s investment officer, is required to submit regular reports on county finance to the members of commissioners court to inspect and verify.
Chad Khan is not afraid to ask the tough questions.
Chad Khan is committed to serving as an effective steward of our tax monies, ensuring our investment is well-utilized with the best possible return. During a time in which the County’s budget faces various challenges, while the County is also in need of added infrastructure (roads, facilities, Deputies on the streets), Chad Khan is willing to ask the tough questions of the Commissioners to ensure the best decisions are made.
The Watchdog
As an independent elected office, the office of Harris County Treasurer can also serve as a “budget watchdog”; however, without the power of legislation, the office will not be an effective check and balance of the way Harris County does business. So, voters must decide: Strengthen the Office or Abolish It?
Chad Khan wants to serve as County Treasurer to help the voters make this important decision. Much like Houston voters gave the City Comptroller’s office the power of the audit to provide the City government a much needed check on the way it does business, Harris County could use the same type of office–independent of the County Judge and the Commissioners. But without the political will of the person elected to this position, the office of County Treasurer will remain an ineffective position utilized by political opportunists seeking the next highest office.
Let’s put our trust in Chad Khan–the only candidate willing to ask the question: Strengthen it or Abolish it?
