Dean Hardt, candidate for treasurer in Belleville, IL
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Name: Dean L. Hardt
Political party (if applicable): Independent
Age as of April 6, 2021: 48
Campaign website or social media page: Facebook - Dean L Hardt for Treasurer
Office seeking: City Treasurer
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Previous offices sought: City Treasurer
Occupation: City Treasurer
Education: 154 Hours - Illinois Municipal Treasurers Association - Treasurer Institute; 48 hours - Illinois Municipal Treasurers Association - Pension Administrator Program; 9 hours - Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: 2010 - Belleville Achieves Strength in Character Initiative - Citizen of Character Award2008 - 2009 – President of Rotary Club of St. Clair County (West) 2006 - Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year Award2007 - Rotary Club of St. Clair County (West) - Service Above Self Award2002 - Rotary Club of St. Clair County (West) - Rookie of the Year Award Rotary Club of St. Clair County (West) Rotarian of the Year Award 2018, 2012, 2010, 2005, 2004Rotary District 6510 - District Governor Citation Award - Books for Belize Project Belleville Chamber of Commerce -Ambassador and Committee Member Belleville Chamber Chili Cook Off – Volunteer Signal Hill Education Foundation – Board Member Midwest Wingfest - Voluntee rArt on the Square - Volunteer Racial Harmony – Member
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Jackie Quirin, Dean Hardt, Mary Kelley
Why are you running? I enjoy my job, the responsibilities of the office and serving the residents of Belleville. The ability to effect change by improving services to the residents and customers of Belleville is a driving factor in my decision to ask the voters to allow me to continue as their Treasurer on April 6, 2021.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The replacement of the city wide computer system has been an ongoing concern since I took office. Budget constraints have required the use of the current system well beyond its useful life. I have utilized my prior experience with multiple software systems to work with the current software provider to enhance the capabilities of the computer system that has benefited residents and customers of Belleville. I will work diligently to budget for its replacement which will allow the City to improve services to the residents.
Why should people vote for you? I have served the Belleville residents with honesty, consistency and fairness since being elected in 2013. I have acquired technical knowledge by attending hours of training provided by the Illinois Municipal Treasurer’s Association. After three years of training I received the Certified Illinois Municipal Treasurer designation. After being chosen to be on the board of directors, I was then nominated and voted upon by the members to serve as president for the 2018-2019 term.While performing my duties as Treasurer I furthered my knowledge by attending seminars and workshops that provided me significant technical knowledge for the office of Treasurer. The training below shows my commitment to ensure that I provide the best possible service to the residents of Belleville.Illinois Department of Revenue - Local Government Tax Workshop Illinois Municipal League - Newly Elected Officials Workshop, Good Governance Workshop Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust - 4.5 hour Liability Seminar, 5 Hours Employment Practices, 4 hour Employment Practices, Discipline and Discharge, The Power of Respectful Language, 4 hour Liability Seminar, FOIA and OMA Update/First Amendment, Due Process and Equal Protection Claims St. Clair County State’s Attorney - Government Ethics Training.
As Treasurer, I oversee the investment of the cities surplus funds. Since I took office in 2013, the investments I have chosen returned interest income of over $450,000 which has been used to support services to the residents of Belleville. I represent Belleville with honesty and integrity by providing unyielding customer service. My hands-on knowledge of the Treasurer, Sewer Billing and Collection departments is reflected in the improvements to better serve Belleville residents. When re-elected I will continue to serve the residents of Belleville fairly and above reproach.
This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Dean Hardt, candidate for treasurer in Belleville, IL."