Name: Vern Ruder
Party Affiliation: Republican
What was your motivation for seeking the office of county treasurer?
I am running for office to help ensure the Treasury Department makes sound investments with taxpayer money, help decrease spending, and bring back the trust and professionalism to a public office. I want to increase efficiency within the Treasury department, and I will work full-time ensuring accuracy and ease of transactions without increased cost to the taxpayers. The people want someone who will get the job done, do it right, save them money, and be 100% reliable.
What experience do you have that is relevant to the office?
Throughout my life, I have worked as a financial advisor, salesman, District Manager, and now as the Landfill Foreman as a supervisor of a division of Public Works. With these positions I have held, I have learned financial skills through the advising, the drive and motivation needed for any job through my salesman position, the managerial skills necessary for employees and budgeting through my District Manager position, and with my current position within Ellis County. These last few years I know how the County Government system operates, I know the current budgeting situation, and know it is going to take all elected officials and staff working together to keep Ellis County moving forward, both effectively and efficiently.
What areas of the office do you believe needs improvement and what changes would you implement?
I want to wrangle in some spending that is unnecessary for the taxpayer to cover. For example, the actual total spent in 2019 for the line items in the budget for “Rental Cars, Planes, Bus” and “Subsistence (Hotels, Food, etc.)” was $10,592.00. I believe in trainings and networking, but not at a cost that extensive when Ellis County owns a car for all employees to use for necessary travel is a bit excessive. Changes like adjusting that spending and other areas, including working every day by staff’s side, going to commission meetings, attending department head meetings, and enhancing the citizens’ experience in the Treasury. I am also exploring the addition of kiosks to help staff and citizens by reducing wait times like in Johnson and Sedgwick counties by 30%. Embracing technology for the people who need the flexibility to get to our office is something we should at least explore.
Why do you believe you are the most qualified candidate for the position?
In the short time I have worked for Ellis County, I have been able to really get involved with other local officials, state officials, and fellow employees on how our local government system operates. I have really been able to get into the budget discussions, such as when I present to the Commission every year line by line, and really see where the improvements can come from. Our local government, both elected officials and staff must work together as a team to keep Ellis County on the right track. When we waste our time arguing or not even speaking to one another, the citizens suffer. I feel like I can bring my work experience I described with my motivation for teamwork to reconnect to the rest of the County and give the citizens a Treasury they can be proud of.
The treasurer’s office handles the county’s finances, how would you be a good steward of the county’s money?
Currently, I oversee County money in my position within Public Works. I will continue what I believe should be done now with County funds, to not spend it frivolously. It is not my money. It is every single Ellis County taxpaying citizens’ money. Sound investment and financial practices available for the County to see openly, are what we need. I will be vocal, in person, at the County Commission meetings letting the public and governing body know where and how our funds are invested.
The treasurer’s office works with every department within the county, what would you do to improve relationships with other departments?
I will be available. If you need to visit with me, come by my office and chat, call, email, whatever your preferred method of communication is, I am open for discussion. I will be available to all who wish to speak to me. I will attend every department head meeting I can, even right now we meet by Zoom, but I am still at the meetings, barring duty calling. Listening to criticisms and working professionally to either adapt or correct issues will be done. All problems have a solution when you enlist the help of others who may have the expertise to tackle it. I will reach out to my fellow elected officials and department heads as open communication is the absolute key to getting the job done. I already follow all the practices I have listed above.