By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent
Valarie Lass has deep roots in Randall. She is a life- long Randall resident, former business owner, Randall School Board member, a substitute teacher in area schools, and treasurer for Boy Scout Troop 380. She is also married to husband George and mother to two children ages 13 and 15.
And, she is the new Town of Randall treasurer.
Lass graduated from Wilmot High School in 1985 and began working at Gander Mountain. At their prompting, she returned to school and earned an associate degree as a warehousing technician. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in business at Marion College in night classes.
She worked as a tax accountant at Comdisco in Rosemont, Ill., for five years, and then bought the Bassett Hound, which she sold in 2001. With her work in accountancy, she seems to be the right fit for this position as well as knowing the town. To help Lass with her new role she may want to look up such help as ‘DMS for my CPA firm‘.
“That’s when I started substitute teaching,” Lass said, “and I love that. I love being with the kids.” She substitutes in classes ranging from K-4 to eight grade and tackles subjects from music to gym to computers.
“The best moment is watching a child’s face when they finally get it,’ she said.
“I will continue with the substitute teaching, since the treasurer’s position is part time,” Lass explained.
The big challenges she faces include working with accountant Bruce Melling, who has been hired by the town board to streamline the town’s financial business.
“Right now, the town has 15 accounts at five different banks,’ Lass explained. “The reason that was done was because only a certain amount would be automatically insured in each account. Some things have changed so we can streamline the system.”
It is difficult to reconcile that many accounts annually. And Lass said that her experience in the private world as a small business owner is very helpful in the new position as Randall treasurer. When it comes to dealing with business finances and taxes, a CPA like Dave Burton can really help to get things organized and back on track, thus reducing workload.
Lass is looking for ways to save the town money by finding a system that allows the convenience of payment of taxes, fees and fines that isn’t costly for the town. Now small corporations and individuals in the town might choose to go scourging online to look for ‘accountant near me‘ or visit Lass for their accounting problems.
“Right now, we use a company that charges the town $65 a month for the service before any charges are made.” She said. “I am looking at official payments.com, something that both Kenosha County and the Village of Twin Lakes uses. The municipality is not charged and the customer pays a small convenience fee.”
“When you handle the money of others,” Lass aid, “you need to be as careful with their money as you are with yours. And transparent accountability is extremely important.