Election 2024 Q&A: Scarborough, Campbell look to fill Arnold’s role

The Oglethorpe County tax commissioner seat will be open after Sheila Arnold, who has held the office since 2008, retires in December. 

Dawn Johnson Scarborough and Teresa Jo Campbell are both first-time candidates running for the position, which is responsible for the collection and distribution of taxes.

Scarborough is a resident of the Beaverdam community. She worked in Gainesville after college before she moved back to her hometown. Scarborough has been with EMS for 23 years. 

Campbell and her family moved to Oglethorpe County in 2018, and she began working with the commissioner’s office in 2020. She now works as a clerk and elections assistant in the probate court. Campbell will not assist with the tax commissioner election.

Both candidates spoke to The Oglethorpe Echo about the race and the role.

Comments have been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: How will your previous work experience help you serve as tax commissioner?

Scarborough: I think that a lot of my time with emergency services is basically just communicating with people and letting people know that I hear them. As a paramedic, we have to make decisions quickly, and they have to be accurate. When I'm deciding what drug I need to give somebody, I have to do drug calculations, I have to do them quickly, I have to convert them to kilograms, and it has to be right. If I mess up, it could potentially cost somebody their life. Working in the tax commissioner's office, I like to think it is not going to be life or death, but I do realize it’s an important part of the county, and I feel like that’s something that I’d be able to handle.

Campbell: As probate clerk, I think the experience in communicating with people on many levels here will assist me as tax commissioner. Whether people want to pay a traffic ticket here or probate an estate, communicating the processes and procedures that we have here is something I do all day, every day, and I believe that will be the same at the tax commissioner’s office. I handle money daily here. On court days, we see a much larger cash flow, and I handle that without a penny unaccounted for. Those things, along with handling accounts payable and accounts receivable for the commissioner’s office will be an attribute that I can bring to the tax commissioner’s office. 

Q: What are the key issues regarding foreclosures and tax assessment? How do you plan to address those issues?

Scarborough: As far as foreclosures, that’s a last ditch effort, obviously. I think the majority of foreclosures are for lack of payment with their mortgage company and not as much a tax issue, normally. Tax assessment falls more in the appraiser’s office. Appraisers have certain guidelines that they go by to determine the worth or value of a residence or a property. As far as assessment goes, that’s more their call, and that’s something they're trained to do. I'm not trained in any assessment of property or land or anything like that. That is in the assessor's office. My mom has a lot of property in the county, and I know a lot of times she hasn’t been pleased with what her value has been deemed on her property because she feels like it’s inflated. There are other outlets, too; if people disagree with their assessments, they can go the route of appealing with the tax assessor’s office and the appraisers that handle that. That's not something that I really would have a handle on.

Campbell: I think some of the key issues are making sure that everybody has adequate notice and receives those notices. I think it can be embarrassing for some people to have to go through that. I know that one of the challenges will be if there are people in the community that I know, whether it’s through the rec department or through school with my children’s friends’ families, I know that can be uncomfortable to have to handle. But again, clear communication and meeting people where they’re at, understanding their situations and trying to be helpful in what they might need. Just communicating that with them can be something I think I would do well at, providing assistance with possible exemptions, if needed, and guidance.

Q: What will your priorities be if elected for this position?

Scarborough: I feel like Sheila Arnold has done a good job with the fiscal responsibility. I want no waste of taxpayer’s money in running the office. I want people to feel welcome there. I’d like to be able to call them by name. I want them to not feel like a number, but feel more like a valued customer. I realize nobody likes taxes, and I am just like everybody else. I can’t stand the IRS. I want to keep my income for myself, as I think most people do, but it’s just a kind of a necessary evil that has to be done. We have to pay taxes, and maybe make it a little less painful by just treating people well and the way I’d want my grandmother to be treated. I’d love to be able to get to know everybody, so it’s not as painful to come in.

Campbell: I just hope to continue the work that Sheila Arnold and those before her have done. I think she’s done a wonderful job maintaining that office. I want the tax commissioner’s office to make the taxpayers feel like the office and I are their ally and their biggest advocate for lower taxes, or for any assistance that they need in that department. Also, just being there, being present and communicating with people in the community. 

Q: What made you want to run for this position?

Scarborough: I knew that EMS and the ambulance service is not something that I can do forever, up until retirement age. Due to the type of work, there is a heavy physical and emotional toll it can have on you. I still wanted to be involved in the community, and I still wanted a job where I could interact with people, because that’s something I’m really used to. It’s an exciting opportunity for me to think about being able to serve in a different role and in a more controlled office setting where I’m not out in the streets or crawling through wrecked cars. It’s exciting to think about still being able to serve the community and interact with people.

Campbell: I truly enjoy the role I play in serving Oglethorpe County where I’m at. I do believe I can do that in a bigger capacity. I love working with and for the people in our community. Getting to be a functional and helpful part of that is something I take great pride in. I prayed long and hard about this decision when I learned of Sheila Arnold’s retirement, and I just knew this was a good opportunity for me to continue to serve.

Q: What would you like people to know during this election cycle?

Scarborough: I’d like them to know that there’s a reason that I live here. I was fortunate enough to be raised here. I really enjoy the community, and Oglethorpe County is a great place to live, and that’s why I made sure I came back to raise my kids here after I finished college. I just think it’s important that people understand that I’m a servant. I’ve done that my whole life in every career choice. I’d like to continue working with the public, and I realize that it will be a transition, but I don’t think it’s anything I can’t handle. 

Campbell: I would just like people to know that their vote really matters, and to remember to vote on May 21. Many people I’ve met are not aware of the general primary date, so I remind them that a lot of these races won’t be on that November ballot. I would like everyone to make an educated decision, not just for the tax commissioner, but for all the positions, and to vote for the person that you truly think can and will handle the office that they’re candidates for. I've met and visited with many residents throughout this campaign trail, and I’m very thankful for this opportunity, as it’s given me a lot of that insight. It’s easily been one of the most interesting job interviews that I’ve ever had, but I’ve learned so much over the last six months, and I’m really looking forward to continuing to learn more as tax commissioner.