Don Rankey for County Treasurer

A Roaring Start

Here’s what has been accomplished during my tenure as the Delaware County Treasurer.

COLLECTING DELINQUENT TAXES

I created a special division to pursue and recover delinquent property taxes. When I took office, there were more than 950 parcels in Delaware County with delinquent taxes exceeding $7 million. I hired veteran collections attorney Jeffrey H. Jordan to head the Revenue Recovery Division. Since its forming, the division has collected more than $26 million in delinquent taxes.

BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE

We improved the Treasurer’s website and redesigned the tax bill inserts to clarify how to get assistance from the office team. We also improved the office operation so we can assist you either online, email, telephone or in-person at the office.

A WIN-WIN BOND FUND

I created a bond fund designed to significantly save money for political subdivisions while increasing returns for Delaware County taxpayers. The project was launched in conjunction with the Delaware County Finance Authority. The fund allows political subdivisions to finance new capital projects and gives them the option to refinance existing debt at a lower interest rate. Liberty Township was the first entity to take advantage of the fund, purchasing more than $10 million in bonds for new construction projects. The City of Delaware entered into an agreement to issue bonds valued at nearly $7.5 million for the “The Point” road-widening project.

ADDING BRAIN POWER

After Rick was appointed, he led the effort to create the Chief Investment Officer’s Advisory Team to collaborate with him on investment strategy for the Treasurer’s Office and the Delaware County Investment Committee.

REVOLVING LOAN FUND

My office, in collaboration with the Delaware County Finance Authority, Orange Township and Liberty Township, teamed up with Buckeye State Bank to launch a Revolving Loan Fund. The micro loan program is designed to help Delaware County businesses by giving them capital for growth. Delaware County has $3.5 million available in the Revolving Loan Fund to ensure the success of assist start-up and existing businesses. Thus far, the program has issued $659,000 in loans to assist 19 Delaware County businesses.

A BANK THAT WORKS FOR DELAWARE COUNTY

JPMorgan Chase Bank was selected as the new bank for Delaware County. Under my direction, we’re no longer running the Treasurer’s Office like a traditional county department; we’re running it like a business. We’re doing our due diligence and that includes selecting the best bank for the county, and I believe that bank is Chase. Chase was awarded a four-year contract.

AN ADVOCATE FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES

I advocated for raises for all county employees and a one-time, $1,500 hardship bonus to county employees. I did this in an effort to help our county employees offset the U.S. inflation rate of 8.6 percent.

A REDUCTION OF FEES

I reduced the fees associated with paying property taxes with credit cards and online e-payment systems. Through the partnership I cultivated with JPMorgan Chase Bank and ePaymentus, we substantially reduced convenience fees for the payment of property taxes. For example, under the new structure, paying a $10,000 property tax bill with a card will cost the taxpayer a flat fee of $3.95, instead of 2.5 percent under the old system, resulting in a savings of nearly $250.

LAND BANK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

I was honored to be elected to a two-year term to the board of directors of the Ohio Land Bank Association

DISTINGUISHED ALUM

I also was honored as a 2022 Distinguished Alumni by Capital University.