Ermelleana Lambert announces she is seeking the office, as Republican, of Gilmer County Tax Commissioner. Lambert is a native of Gilmer County and has nineteen years’ experience in public service. She earned a certificate from Appalachian Technical College, in 1986, in the field of basic computer programming and data entry courses. Her experience consists of ten years’ service in office management for wholesale and retail business, payroll and bookkeeping, preparation of audit records , accounts receivable, accounts payable, petty cash funds, deposits, filing of local, state, and federal reports for sales and use tax and road use taxes.

She has six years with law enforcement agencies of which three and one half years were with the Georgia Department of Public Safety in the Gainesville post as Sr. License Examiner where she performed written, driving and inspection testing for regular vehicles, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles. There she trained to reinstate driving licenses for all suspensions and verification of out of state licenses, passports or other documentation for legal and illegal residents for the issuance of qualified work permits and handicap permits. She also filled in on the travel team detail in surrounding areas and in surrounding posts as needed.

She worked two and one half years at the Gilmer County Detention Center then transferred to the Gilmer County Tax Commissioner’s Office where she is currently employed. Her duties when hired at the Tax Commissioner’s Office were to consist of being cross-trained and knowledgeable of all aspects pertaining to the tax office while working closely with the tax commissioner in performing any additional duties as requested or needed. She has been appointed Deputy Ex-Officio Sheriff, where she assists in the Tax Sale Process, participates in the posting of tax sale properties and staying current with state and local laws and ordinances for the filing and cancellation of FI. FA.’s and sheriff’s deeds through working with the Clerk of Superior Court office. She balances and updates Excess Funds listing and Escrow account information, assists in the processing of payments for Intangible Tax, Property Tax, Mobile Home Tax, Personal Inventory Tax, Timber Tax, and Motor Vehicle Tax. She works closely with the Tax Assessor’s office for processing corrected notices from resolution of appeals in real property, personal property, mobile homes, and motor vehicles. She aids in problem solving whenever the occasion arises, assisting co-workers as needed and is responsible for monitoring the laws and updates of Hotel Motel Reports (Lodging) while reconciling spreadsheet entries of collections and submissions to the Commissioner’s office. She verifies daily reports by clerk’s, balancing tax accounting reports and deposits of collections, posting transactions from daily work of motor vehicle, real and personal property, intangibles, timber and mobile homes, as needed, helps in answering of taxpayer calls, receiving and responding to emails from county website, processing mail for real and personal property, mobile homes, and motor vehicles. Compiles and submits state reports for continuing disclosures of school and county districts, assists in calculation verification of tax notices prior to digest submissions, aware of exemptions available and amounts allowed. Responsible for maintaining the county vehicle, works with the Commissioner’s office to stay within and maintain balances to the budget for the Tax Commissioner’s office while responsible for monitoring and ordering all supplies and updates of professional services contracts for the tax commissioner’s office.

She is confident her experience in the operations and demands performed over the past three and one half years have prepared and strengthened her skills and ability to perform the duties required of the tax commissioner. Gaining continuous knowledge through classes and various programs provided will ensure the best service for our county.
As the economic strain continues to be a concern, balancing the needs of the citizens while fulfilling the duties of tax commissioner will be a challenge she embraces for the continued growth and prosperity of all who live in Gilmer County.

Her pledge is to uphold the Oath of Office and its responsibilities with diligence, honesty, and respect both for and due the citizens of Gilmer County. Friendly, professional, and efficient service for taxpayers both in the office and in receiving calls while continuing to train everyone in both property and motor vehicles will aid in faster service.

She is asking for everyone’s vote and support this 2012 election year.