𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 & 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫

𝑽𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑

Kelly Hoffner is running for Effingham County Tax Commissioner (R) 2024.

“I will bring experience and leadership skills along with a passion for customer service to the job. With the growth Effingham is experiencing, I am prepared to keep pace with the changes and new technologies to better focus on providing superior service to the citizens of this county,” she says, “and I would love to have your support to become the new Effingham County Tax Commissioner.”

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Originally from Pennsylvania, Kelly visited her southern family every summer until she relocated to Georgia in 2011. Once her two children started school, she worked in the private security contract business where she administered thirty-five contracts across multiple states.

From 2020 through 2023 she was employed at the Effingham County Tag Office, first as a Tax/Tag Agent, then as Motor Vehicle Supervisor, where she spent the majority of her tenure.

As Motor Vehicle Supervisor, Kelly was responsible for resolving escalated customer service issues, as well as establishing documentation of the postal mail and the daily reconciliation of all monies received from both properties and motor vehicle departments, among other duties. “Having a leadership supervisory role at the Effingham County Tag Office gives me a unique perspective as to how the office works,” she says. “I connected with many residents and business owners and saw firsthand what a positive impact the office can have on our citizens.”

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬

Kelly envisions a friendly and accessible office where the Tax Commissioner has an active presence in the day-to-day duties. She knows the challenges of implementing change and says, “I can’t promise these will all happen, but these are the issues I will prioritize.”

•          Ensure cross-training and utilize full staff coverage to reduce wait time.

•          Complete a full organization of files including updated storage.

•          Extend office hours after 5 PM as needed.

•          Expedite the process for senior citizens.

•          Review budget to better use current funding for:

›           Part time employment during busy season

›           Technology updates

𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

As Tax Commissioner Kelly would focus on educating the community as to the tax collectors’ responsibilities as well as establishing good communication with other ancillary offices, such as the county’s tax assessors. Reaching the greater community is also a priority she would address, especially as to providing up to date information that may otherwise go unnoticed.

“We need to make important information immediately accessible to better serve our citizens,” she says. “For example, military veterans may have a lack of understanding regarding tax breaks they are entitled to, which could be addressed by informational outreach such as creating a Facebook page specifically for this department.”

“Effingham county has been experiencing many changes,” Kelly says, “and I have the experience that is needed right now. As Effingham County Tax Commissioner my goal will be to ensure accessibility, efficiency and accountability to every member of our community.”