Michael McDonald
For Salt Lake County Treasurer
I am excited to be running for the office of Salt Lake County Treasurer. I see this position as one of the most important and one of the least understood offices in the county. The County Treasurer is an elected official, but not a politician.
The County Treasurer serves as the funding agent for the County Mayor and County Council administrative operations for payroll and vendor payments, and invests all Salt Lake County corporation money and bond proceeds. My executive-level experience in the private sector managing multi-million dollar budgets, designing and implementing successful business strategies, and putting together innovative solutions has prepared me to do this job.
I began my career as a software engineer writing accounting and tax software. I’ve helped migrate legacy systems to modern platforms, developed social media platforms that generated dozens of patents, and built large scale systems that reached out to millions daily. Leveraging my experience in technology, management, and leadership, I plan to help update the treasurer’s office and ensure that its systems integrate securely and efficiently with other county and state systems. I would like to see the IT infrastructure, processes, and procedures of the Salt Lake County Treasury office become the model for every county in Utah. I have the experience and the know how to get it done.
The Leadership Our County Needs
Innovation. Competence. Leadership.
The Salt Lake County Treasurer’s office needs solutions that work and save tax-payer money. Michael McDonald has the experience and technical expertise to get the job done.
I'm not a Doobie Brother!
What’s in a name? Your vote is your voice. Thank you all for reaching out and discussing the office of the treasurer.
Compassionate Leadership
We can do better. We MUST do better! Tax Relief is incredibly important especially during a pandemic.
Where's my money, Brian?
Are we really still using systems from the 1970’s to store personal and financial information?
The Right Leadership
I believe Salt Lake County’s next Treasurer should be a leader on the issues that matter most. We can invest responsibly in companies that expand employment opportunities across the county. This is especially important as our state and county reopen and begin to welcome residents back to work.
Accountability
I have extensive knowledge of the duties charged to the County Treasurer. I’ve built a career putting together successful teams and building processes that get big things done. As Treasurer, I will have the following focus:
1. Expand outreach efforts to assure that all taxpayers are aware of tax savings they may be entitled to receive.
Education and outreach to property owners regarding tax relief they’re eligible for is the responsibility of the Treasurer. Therefore, the Treasurer’s office must be accessible for all Salt Lake County residents.
2. Work with all units of government to ensure the efficient and economical delivery of services.
3. Protect the integrity of the county's investments, while seeking the maximum return to help keep property taxes down.
Protecting the integrity of the county’s investment fund and seeking a maximum rate of return will be a top priority in our effort to ensure that we help keep property taxes down and help offset future budget deficits. This will be important as governments begin to look at budget shortfalls as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Assist in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the County’s fiscal operation to control costs.
Modernization and technology innovation is needed in the Treasurer’s Office. I will look into ways to streamline the Treasurer’s Office through automation projects.
Innovation
Automation projects lead to greater efficiency. Expansion of technology is, without a doubt one of the biggest challenges that Salt Lake County Treasurer’s Office continues to experience. Although advances have been made in the operations of the Treasurer’s Office, there exists a need to ensure that the Treasurer’s office catch up with the rapid changes in technology. We must find innovative solutions to address current and future challenges.
Here’s the Latest from the Campaign Trail:
The way we do business has changed, even campaigning. We care about you and your family, so like you, we’re practicing safe social distancing to keep you and your family safe.
Mission & Values
The Salt Lake County Treasurer’s Office will become the model to which all other counties will look for guidance. This will be accomplished through better methods of communicating resources and benefits to tax payers, ensuring that information important to tax payers is accessible and consumable in ways appropriate to every demographic, and updating antiquated systems to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Leadership that is engaged and cares is essential to accomplish these goals.
DON’T STOP AT THE TOP!
What exactly does that mean?
In the last election for Salt Lake County Treasurer, over 11,000 voters returned their ballot WITHOUT checking the box for the Salt Lake County Treasurer.
This is especially important this year because Utah no longer has straight-party voting.
As you can see, Salt Lake County really loves straight-party voting. Over 127,000 voters took advantage of straight-party voting in 2018. Those days are over.
In January of 2020, Utah State Legislature repealed straight-party voting.
When Utah voters receive their ballots, they must vote for each office independently.
Why is this important for our race?
The discrepancy between the ballots that are returned and the number of votes received for the Treasure indicates that voters often return their ballot without voting for all county-wide offices. Salt Lake County Treasurer is the last box you need to check on your ballot.
I know you’re excited to vote for the President of the United States, the next Governor, and the County Mayor. But please, keep going. After those votes you’re not done. Some offices may seem less glamorous, but they are not less important.
So — Don’t Stop At The Top!
2020 General Election
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News & Updates
Hello world!
Meet Michael Michael has the right experience to be Salt Lake County's next Treasurer. Michael McDonald is a computer scientist with decades-long experience building systems and programs designed to help and empower people. His expertise is in computer software...