Vonna Lampkins, Okmulgee County Treasurer, would like to respond to her opponent’s top three campaign messages (published in a special section Oct. 28): “The Treasurer already has a website: https://oktaxrolls.com/county/Okm that anyone may research properties that have three years delinquent taxes.

“The Treasurer's Association has a Social Media page (County Treasurer's Association of Oklahoma) that any and all questions can be addressed. You may call the office at 918-756-3848 or my cell phone 918-520-4702 to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have.

“The June Resale research begins each year after three additional years taxes after base year has been set which creates four years of delinquency. We usually start with approximately 450 more or less delinquent properties and by the time June Resale is here, the number is anywhere from 90 to 100.

“I have a great office staff in the Tax Collection/Land Records department who do due diligence to make contact with the owner/owners or anyone who may know how to contact the owner/owners to make sure that they don't lose their property for delinquent taxes. The Attorney General ruled on an opinion of the law a few years ago that allows the taxpayer to pay the ”Base Year” to take it out of the June Resale. This allows them time to work on the other three years of delinquencies.

“Due to statutory guidelines, the Tax Collections/Land Records Department can't crosstrain to the Accounting Department. I tried this in the past and the State Auditor’s Office said that it shouldn't be done. You may cross train within the Tax Collections/Land Records and within the Accounting Department but it is not to be done between both departments.

“The reason for not allowing cross training from department to department is the deputies in the Accounting Department are on all the Financial Business that the county does within the bank accounts and bookkeeping programs. It would create less safeguard controls that we have set in place.

“The County doesn't have any unnecessary county-owned properties due to the fact that I myself send letters to all property owners that the county-owned property adjoins and invite them to come to the County Commissioners Sale that is held once a year usually in late August or early September. At that sale, there is an opening bid that the Board of County Commissioners has approved. Property sells to the highest bidder along with a Deed Fee, Transcript Fee, Filing Fee and prorated advertising cost. The highest bidder gets the Deed & Transcript upon final approval by the Board of County Commissioners.

“Yes, all Schools, Vo-Techs and joint School Districts get the major portion of tax collections. The money to fund the roads DOES NOT come from Property Tax. It is a tax collected at the gas pumps when you purchase fuel for your vehicles, farm equipment etc.

“Here is a breakdown of the road tax collection: Gr’oss Production Oil Tax, Diesel Fuel Excise Tax, Gasoline Excise Tax and Special Fuel Tax.

“A half-cent sales tax was approved by the voters for the County Road Tax fund and this is divided by percentages between the three districts. A onethird of one percent sales tax was approved by the voters for the Fire Departments and is divided among all the Fire Departments in the county based on a percentage formula approved by S.A.l.

“I am the qualified candidate running for County Treasurer. I do know the duties of the office that I am running for re-election by my years of dedication, experience, and service to the citizens of Okmulgee County.

“l would like to add to this editorial that if you are a 'Straight Party” voter but would like to vote for a county level candidate based solely on their “Qualifications” then be sure to mark the box FOR COUNTY TREASURER - VONNA LAMPKINS. I would appreciate your “VOTE” on Tuesday, Nov. 8th.”

/s/ Vonna Lampkins Okmulgee County Treasurer