Treasurer seeks re-election

Kootenai County Treasurer Tom Malzahn kicked off his re-election campaign Friday.

The Republican was first appointed in 2000 and then elected in 2002. The treasurer acts as the county banker, handling all the money that comes to the county including property tax collections.

Malzahn, 59, said his goal is to run an office with a positive attitude and good customer service.

He said his office is always working to improve service and reduce the cost of government. For example, the treasurer’s office has saved the county $5,000 a year by outsourcing the printing and mailing of tax statements. The county also generates an additional $42,000 annually in interest after the office contracted with a bank to process tax payments in a timelier manner.

Malzahn said the office will become even more efficient when it finishes transition to a new computer program that will accelerate the posting of property tax payments.

So far, Malzahn is the only candidate in the race.