In 1869, the Constitution of Virginia established the office of Treasurer in each of the counties, cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The Treasurer is an elected official directly responsible to the citizens of the locality for the receipt and collection of every form of revenue which comes to the locality as well as the safekeeping of revenue.
Treasurers manage the investment of local funds.
The Treasurer is also responsible for the collection of State funds under the Code of Virginia. The City of Salem treasurer's office consists of five full-time employees including the Treasurer. During the spring of the year we also have four part-time employees who work six weeks during the period when we collect real estate and personal property taxes and issue auto decals. As stated in the Code of Virginia the Treasurer is responsible for the safeguarding of all city funds which includes the investment of city revenue and the collection of revenue which includes real estate, personal property, bank stock, public utility, meals and lodging taxes as well as business licenses, all miscellaneous charges, fees, permits and issuing auto decals and dog licenses. The treasurer's office currently has a fully computerized collection system which allows us to more quickly accommodate the taxpayer.