The County Line: Treasurer Roger Hudson keeps the Cape Girardeau County's checkbook balanced

Receiving and managing all county money -- whether it's collected through taxes, offices or other sources -- can be a daunting task, but Cape Girardeau County Treasurer Roger Hudson said he and his office work hard to ensure the funds are handled properly.

"The money comes to my office, and we have to receipt it to the proper fund and the proper line item in that fund," Hudson said. "It's our responsibility to make sure that money gets in the right place, so it's not spent the wrong way."

Hudson said there are 52 funds within the county, and each of those funds is reconciled daily.

"We receipt it, we make deposits out and deposit money daily," he said. "We balance the checkbook every day."

Hudson said his office does more than make deposits and track outstanding checks.

"Beyond that, we're responsible for managing those accounts," he said. "When I came I think we had about six bank accounts. Now it's down to three."

He said separate accounts are still necessary because different grants received by the county have different criteria for management. The county maintains a general revenue checking account, an account for grants and an account for MoSMART money, which is used to fund the county's methamphetamine task force.

Another responsibility of the office is investing surplus funds, a job Hudson said has become more difficult in the past couple of years.

"Early on, the first three or four years, I looked like I was doing a heck of a job," he said. "We were getting 5 1/2, 5 1/4 percent just on our checking account. It's a little more difficult now."

Hudson said one of his most critical roles is working with the county commission and other offices. He said it is important to keep budget numbers in front of commissioners so they are aware of the county's financial situation when it comes time to make purchasing and funding decisions. He attends every commission meeting to answer any budget questions they may have.

"We're here doing the job, and the commissioners rely heavily on information that I can provide them," he said.

Since taking office in 2005, Hudson has made an effort to become more interactive with the various county offices.

"It really has evolved to the point, and I'm so proud of it, that nearly every department comes to my office every day for something," he said. "It wasn't that way in the past. We work hard for it to be that way. That keeps me informed and makes me better at what I do."

Hudson manages a one-member staff to assist in the office's duties. The office, which is created under Chapter 54 of Missouri Statute, had a budget of $130,873 in 2010.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

Pertinent Address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO