Dunn to bring business experience to office

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Editor's Note: This is part of a series of candidate profiles based on answers to a questionnaire sent out by the Tribune.


Rhonda Dunn is a Republican running against Democratic incumbent Susan Quick for Bourbon County Treasurer in the Nov. 6 general election. Dunn was born and currently resides in Fort Scott, where she works in her family's moving and storage business. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Pittsburg State University and a masters degree in business from the University of Tulsa.

"I have 17 years experience working for large oil companies in a wide variety of jobs with increasing responsibility," Dunn said.

She added that for the last six years, she worked in her family's business here in southeast Kansas.

She said she has always had an interest in politics and has been encouraged several times to run for office.

"It's clear the people of Bourbon County are ready for a new treasurer and that position is an opportunity for me to put my education and experience to work for our area," Dunn said. "My most important skill is my work ethic. Education and experience only get you so far in any job. I am a person who works hard and learns fast. If I don't know the answer, I figure it out. I can create a positive work environment so that employees are motivated to do a good job. I have the integrity to admit mistakes and learn from them."

When asked her greatest weakness, Dunn said it would be that she has never worked in the treasurer's office.

"However, if elected, I would volunteer my time to work in the treasurer's office to gain some on-the-job experience before I am on the job," Dunn said. "Of course, that would require the approval of the current treasurer."

Dunn said she hopes to restore the confidence and integrity in the treasurer's office.

"I would run the offices with a policy of openness and cooperation that appears to be lacking now," Dunn said. " I think the top priority of the treasurer is to collect as much of the taxes owed to Bourbon County as possible. In this economy, collection will get even more difficult and we need creative ideas and diligent people to get it done. I want to create fair programs available to everyone that qualifies to help people get their taxes paid on time. I also want to make improvements to the Bourbon County Treasurer's website to provide more services and information to its users."

Speaking to the question of the importance of cooperation between the city and the county, Dunn said that one area of this question that applies to the Treasurer's office is the distribution of tax money paid through county taxes to the city, school districts, and other entities.

"Cooperation between these groups and the Treasurer's office is critical since the timely collection of tax money has a significant impact on the budget of many groups," Dunn said.

As for region-wide cooperation, Dunn said working with other counties in the area is a great way to share issues and learn from others.

"Solutions to local problems can often be found through the experiences of others," Dunn said. "No need to reinvent the wheel if other counties have a proven solution to a local issue. Also, all counties are motivated to find ways to continue to provide top level services while operating within tight budgets. Cooperation between the counties may find new solutions to shared problems."

Dunn has served on the Good Old Days committee and was recently elected to serve as chairman. She is a member of the Bourbon County Republican Central Committee and serves as a member of the Bourbon County Gorillas for Pittsburg State alumni. She also is President of the Pittsburg State Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.