Office of the Treasurer
The Mission of the Treasurer’s Office
It is the mission of the Treasurer’s Office, as defined in the Code of Virginia, to collect state and local taxes and other revenues, to invest and safeguard the funds, and to disburse the funds as directed by the local governing body.
What is a Constitutional Officer?
Virginia's Constitution creates five elected local offices: Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue, Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth's Attorney, and Sheriff. Because these officials are chosen by — and answerable to — Arlington voters, they operate independently from one another and the local governing body.
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Why is the County Treasurer an Elected Position?
As an independently elected official, the Treasurer operates outside County government and serves as a critical check and balance. This independence maintains a clear separation of duties, distinguishing those responsible for budgeting and tax assessment from the Treasurer, who is solely responsible for collecting, safeguarding, and disbursing the County's revenue. Constitutional Officers also reduce government bureaucracy by placing these essential functions in the hands of elected officials who are directly accountable to Arlington's citizens.
What Tasks Does the Treasurer Perform?
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Tax and Revenue Collection
The Treasurer's Office prepares, mails, and collects bills for all real estate and personal property tax in Arlington County, along with most other County revenue, including business taxes and water/sewer bills. The office also pursues collection of all delinquent taxes and fees, directly reducing the burden on taxpayers. During my tenure as Chief Deputy, the tax delinquency rate has been reduced by 50%, to 0.18% — the lowest tax delinquency rate in Virginia, and among the lowest in the nation. This achievement has saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
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Investments
The Treasurer safeguards the County's financial resources and helps maintain its prestigious Aaa/AAA/AAA bond rating. The Treasurer's Investment Policy is guided by the principles of SLY: Safety, Liquidity, and Yield, in that order. This approach consistently earns one of the highest rates of return among local governments in the Commonwealth, while keeping County funds secure and accessible.
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Cash Management
The Treasurer oversees a comprehensive cash management program for Arlington and its agencies, managing all disbursements and banking relationships while safeguarding County funds.
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Customer Service
Each year, the Treasurer's Office fields approximately 54,000 phone calls and responds to more than 12,000 emails, often serving as Arlington residents' primary point of contact with County government. No one enjoys paying taxes, but making that process as simple and convenient as possible is a core commitment of this office.
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