Finance and Taxation Revealed: County Money Handled By ...

Working closely with a member of her staff, Jettie Clabo provides personalized customer service for Sevier County. (The Herald/ Joe King)

When it comes to the workings of any governmental body the bottom line is money, and Sevier County?s Trustee understands the importance of honesty and accuracy while entrusted with taxation revenue.

Jettie Clabo has been the Sevier County Trustee since 1986, and with her strong commitment to the community, her lengthy tenure may come as little surprise.

?It is important for the trustee to be elected because the office handles all the county money,? Clabo said. ?If somebody isn?t treated right at our office, the election gives them a chance to vote for somebody else.?

Knowing the responsibility and respect that comes with being the County Trustee, Clabo said every member of her staff is important to the overall function of the office.

?My staff is very important,? she said. ?When you are dealing with money, you have to be honest and trustworthy.

?Somebody once told me if you want to look good, you have to have good people with you.?

Although Clabo has had many years of experience in her elected office, serving as Trustee has not been the only county position she has maintained.

Previously, Clabo had worked in the Register of Deeds for Sevier County and after 10 years of public service she went on to work for a law firm for another 10 years as well.

While working at the law firm, Clabo gained knowledge of the title process as well as the banking industry. Her expertise in these areas is what prompted many to suggest she run for her current office.

Jettie Clabo double checks tax information for accuracy. (The Herald/ Joe King)

Because all county money passes through the Trustee?s office, Clabo said verification is an important part of her job.

?The Trustee is also the county banker,? she said. ?All money comes here first and then gets proportioned to the right department. Expenditures and payroll have to be approved with a monthly revenue report.?

Currently, property tax rates for Sevier County are set at $1.63 per $100 of assessed property value. To measure the assessed value, state guidelines of 25 percent for residential, 40 percent for commercial and 30 percent for personal of the total value are used.

For the 2011 tax collection, about $53.5 million was collected for Sevier County.

?You have to be careful when you are dealing with that much money,? Clabo said. ?Politics don?t play into it.?

Clabo said she plans to run for reelection in 2014.

Source: http://seymourherald.com/blog/2012/08/20/finance-and-taxation-revealed-county-money-handled-by-experienced-trustee/

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