Letter to the editor:

I will be holding a “Meet and Greet” this Saturday at the Richmond Town Hall and I will answer any questions people might have about the town’s finances. I will be there between 10 a.m. and noon, and I hope I can alleviate any fears people have and let them know that I have done a good job as their treasurer. 

I have served the residents of the town faithfully and unselfishly for almost 32 years as treasurer.

I have enjoyed the personal interactions with residents as I provided such services as property tax collection, the issuance of dog licenses, and the investing of the town’s cash assets to maximize returns for our residents.

When I became treasurer, in 1993, our township had no money really to work with and so I developed personal relationships with bankers in the area and began a systematic investment process that over the years has returned our township hundreds of thousands of dollars in investment earnings.

For most of the years, I performed the work using a pen and paper, but in 2021, the Walworth County Treasurer’s Office installed a new automated property tax collection system that I admittedly struggled with, and, as a consequence, I made a handful of property tax entry errors  that were corrected after being brought to our attention. The fees and penalties for these errors were $1,479.08. Wisconsin state statutes require that a municipal treasurer carry an insurance bond equal to the value of the property taxes that the municipality handles for just these types of instances where there may be an error made.

No Richmond township resident affected had to pay any fees or penalties.

Recognizing my limited ability to use the computer, the town board responsibly insisted that I appoint a deputy treasurer to assist with the computerized aspects of the treasurer’s duties, and also learn the duties, so the residents would have an experienced person to succeed me when I retire.

I appointed the deputy treasurer last year.

I have advised the town board of my intention to retire at the end of my term on April 1, 2025.

Still, there have been some town board members who have not been satisfied with the actions taken.

Two newly elected town board members included information in their campaign literature suggesting that the town suffered from “financial instability.”

At the end of March, 2022, our town had cash assets of more than $1.03 million and we had zero debt.

At the end of March, 2023, our town had cash assets of more than $1.2 million and we had zero debt.

At the end of March, 2024, our town had cash assets of more than $1.2 million and we still today have zero debt.

As your treasurer for 31 years, I have certainly made errors, none of which were intentional.

Also, after making my home on a farm in the town since 1973, in August of 2021, I fell and severed a tendon in my leg. I now use a wheelchair and am under the care of a physical therapist and residing in an assisted living facility about one mile outside of the town boundaries.

I hope in time to be able to walk again.

While there is a statutory requirement for elected officials in Wisconsin to reside within the municipal boundaries, the Wisconsin League of Municipalities and the Wisconsin courts have provided for exceptions where there is a medical restriction such as mine, and there is an intention to return to the residence within the municipality.

It is clearly my intention to return to my residence.

There is currently a recall election against me. It will be held Tuesday, Aug. 20. Residents can cast a vote to allow me to remain in service as treasurer of the town until the end of my term in April.

It has been an honor to serve our town residents, and I ask you to cast your vote for me, thereby enabling me to finish my term until April 1, 2025, and retire with dignity.

In the meantime, please visit me on Saturday. I will be pleased to answer all of your questions in person.

Sincerely,

Ann Seaver

Treasurer

Town of Richmond