Orangetown Tax Receiver Candidates Propose Different Approaches

Orangetown Candidate Forum moderator Arthur Aldrich introduced the race for Orangetown Receiver of Taxes as possibly the last for the position.

In addition to choosing between incumbent Republican Robert Simon and Democratic challenger Chris Smith, voters will also decide whether or not the position will be eliminated and its functions rolled into the town clerk's office during the Nov. 5 general election. There will be a referendum regarding the move on the ballot.

Smith has pushed for the change from the beginning of his campaign and Simon has agreed that it should be considered if it can create significant savings for taxpayers. The town has still not released an estimated budget savings from the consolidation, which would not take effect until the four-year term of the person elected Nov. 5 is over. 

"In pushing the initiative to combine the receiver of taxes office with the office of the town clerk, I am not diminishing the importance of tax collection, but magnifying the importance of fiscal prudence and easing the financial burden on taxpayers," Smith said.


Simon has held the position since 1999 and put a good bit of the focus on his experience Thursday night.

"It is there the most personal contact takes place in the most trying of circumstances," Simon said. "It is a full-time position that not only requires your time, but demands it. Nine months out of the year, you are either in collection, preparing for the next collection cycle, or closing out your own books and doing our reconciliation."

Simon's mention of full time highlights one of the major differences in the approaches of the two candidates. Smith said he would want to make the position part time and cut the salary in half, as soon as he takes office. 

"We are not able to eliminate the office right away, but I can relieve the undue pressure it places on town finances," Smith said. "Outside of tax collection season, there is little reason to maintain full-time hours."


Simon said the position should remain full time and that he would look to save taxpayers money by looking into possible changes such as sending out receipts by email or improving the department's computer programs. 


"Right now we have a good system," Simon said. "We have a staff of three people doing the work of four."


Both candidates were asked what challenges they would face in implementing the consolidation if it was voted for in November.

"I don't see any challenges with that if it is approved by the voters," Simon said. "I've had 15 years. I know the office well. I know how to manage the office. I would work closely with our town clerk Charlotte Madigan, to make sure a smooth transition takes place.

Smith said training on the computer system would be the largest issue.

"They are consolidating now in Clarkstown," Smith said. "I have spent time on the phone with (Clarkstown Town Clerk) Justin Sweet, going through with him what are the challenges your office faces with consolidation to the town clerk. He said one of the biggest things is training people on the software and how it all works."

The debate between Simon and Smith was part of the Orangetown Candidates Forum sponsored by the Our Town. For more on the debates among candidates for Orangetown Supervisor and for the two seats on the town council, read this report on Patch.