Jeffrey justifies case for re-election

SANDUSKY — When auditing his own record in office, Richard "Rick" Jeffrey believes he's done a pretty good job. "My accomplishments in the auditor's office and in our community speak for themself," Jeffrey said. Jeffrey, who's served as Erie County auditor since 2011, faces his first challenger at the polls since 2014. In the last two elections for this seat, in 2018 and 2022, he ran unopposed. This fall, Jeffrey, a Republican, is campaigning against Paul Meisel, a Democrat. Whoever receives more votes on Nov. 3, Election Day, wins a four-year term beginning on March 8. What does a county auditor do? A county auditor doesn't conduct independent financial audits of government entities. The state performs these tasks. Rather, a county auditor oversees: • Property valuations and tax assessments; The auditor and this person's staff appraise and determine fair-market values of all real estate and property within the county. Full reappraisals occur every six years with updates happening at the midway points. • The calculation of real estate taxes; Auditors calculate property tax rates, certify tax lists and administer tax reductions or exemption programs, such as those for senior citizens and qualifying homeowners. .• The county's finances; The auditor keeps the county's official financial records, verifies expenditures and pays county bills and payroll. • The distribution of public funds; The auditor allocates collected local property tax revenues and local government funds to schools, cities, townships, villages, libraries, boards and more. • Licensing and weights; The auditor has inspectors who check out and ensure commercial scales and gas pumps are accurate. Bio blast A lifelong resident of the Firelands Region, Rick and his wife, Gayle, live in Sandusky. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Jeffrey's roots in local education run deep. His father played an instrumental role in founding what became the BGSU Firelands campus in Huron Township in the 1960s. After graduating from Bowling Green State University with a business administration in accounting degree, he spent 35 years in the private sector in corporate management. He then brought his financial expertise, which included past roles as a plant controller and business manager, to the public sector. Beyond serving 15 years as the Erie County auditor, Jeffrey has also spent 11 years in leadership roles with the County Auditors' Association of Ohio. Today he serves as its second vice president, helping guide fellow auditors across the state on sound fiscal practices. Jeffrey has won numerous honors while serving in the county office. This includes being recognized by the Ohio Auditor of State for excellence with distinction in managing the financial affairs of Erie County. "It is not the award but what it means," Jeffrey said. "We were not following sound accounting practices (when I came into office) in 2011. And, over a period of six years, we fixed those practices." He's also an avid volunteer: In 2023, Sandusky's government named Jeffrey as its volunteer of the year. He helps out with many organizations, including Sandusky Rotary, St. Mary's Catholic Church and with Sandusky Central Catholic School. Q&A Jeffrey answered several questions about his candidacy: Q: Why are you running again? RJ: I believe we have done some good things in my term in office: • By embracing technology, we have right-sized the office staff by a third without layoffs or service cuts, saving taxpayers money along the way. We will continue to look for ways to do more with less. • We have emphasized transparency and accountability from the open checkbook spending portal to online property searches; GIS mapping (a computer-based technology that connects location data on a map with descriptive information stored in a database) used by 25 political subdivisions in the county; a property tax estimator and an unclaimed funds search. The office puts public information in the residents' hands. I believe taxpayers deserve clear, easy access to how their money is valued, collected and spent. • We continue to have open discussions with taxpayers concerning cost-saving programs, like the homestead credit and owner-occupied credit, partnering with Serving Our Seniors. • We continue to enhance the communication at our yearly meeting between our office and the local school treasurers, superintendents and board members. • As a member of the leadership in the County Auditors Association of Ohio, I want to continue to advocate for the taxpayers in Erie County and provide meaningful targeted tax reform. Q: What are the three traits that you possess that make you the ideal candidate? RJ: I: • Listen; I listen to concerns raised and hear both sides before making decisions. Taxpayers can trust that they will be heard. • Am fiscally conservative; I will continue to manage the auditor's office, spending only what we need and not what we want. Taxpayers can trust that waste will not be tolerated. • Have leadership qualities; I will continue to lead the auditor's office with integrity, professionalism and accountability. I will continue to stress that anyone can do the right thing when someone is looking over your shoulder, but it takes a special person to do the right thing when no one is looking. We will continue to strive for excellence, not because of the award but because it is the right thing and the taxpayers deserve it. Q: If re-elected, what would be your top three priorities? RJ: I will: • Continue to evaluate where technology can enhance how we manage the real estate valuation process • Make the best use of my leadership role in the County Auditors Association of Ohio to benefit all property owners and taxpayers • Evaluate the accounting software opportunities and look for new or improved options that meet our needs financially and functionally Hear the candidates speak Both Jeffrey and Mesiel will speak at two upcoming events: • 6-6:45 p.m. on Tuesday at Work Space Sandusky, 1521 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky; The Greater Sandusky Partnership is hosting a 2026 candidates forum, and these candidates, among others, will speak. This event is open to the public. • Oct. 22 at EHOVE Career Center; Both candidates will take part in the Register's in-schools debate series, presented by the partnership. This debate isn't open to the public, but it will be available on the Register's YouTube channel.