March 18, 2008

As Tax Collector, Scruggs will be responsible for seeing that taxes are paid for on each property, using methods of attachment, garnishment, or in rem collection (which involves foreclosure), if necessary, as set forth under North Carolina General Statutes. She will supervise a staff of ten persons.

“Ona is a dedicated and caring public servant who has been with the Catawba County Tax Office for nineteen years,” said Randy Moose, Catawba County Tax Administrator, who supervises the entire Tax Office. “She has many years of experience in the difficult delinquent collections arena. Ona is very much a team leader. She trains new employees regarding delinquent collection policies and procedures. She’s a hard worker, steady and dependable, and she willingly accepts additional responsibilities over and above normal duties. Due to her experience in the tax collection area, we expect a smooth transition as Ona assumes her new duties.”

Though she was born in Indiana, Scruggs has lived in Catawba County for many years, having moved with her parents to North Carolina in the mid 1960s. Her family moved frequently, since her father was a pastor. They first lived in Andrews, North Carolina but moved to Catawba County shortly after Scruggs graduated from Andrews High School. She had a very wide- ranging career path prior to her beginning work with the Catawba County Tax Office.

Scruggs earned an Associate’s Degree in Business from Catawba Valley Community College and nearly completed an Associate’s Degree in Police Sciences at Western Piedmont Community College. She worked as the Records Supervisor for the Newton Police Department in the early 1970s, becoming the first woman to work for the Newton Police Department and one of the first in this area to be employed by a police department.

Scruggs began working for the Catawba County Department of Social Services in 1978. She first worked in the Food Stamp Unit and then served as a Child Support Enforcement Officer until 1982. She then worked as District Manager for the Charlotte Observer and later as a service representative for Manpower, Inc. before returning to Catawba County in 1989 to work in the Tax Office.

Scruggs began her work in the Tax Office at the front desk, in customer service, but shortly thereafter began focusing on collection of delinquent taxes. She remembers that only four persons were working for the office then and everyone did all of the required duties.

Her efforts toward the collection of delinquent taxes helped Catawba County keep and maintain one of the highest tax collection rates in the State of North Carolina. Although the collection rate for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2007 was down slightly to 98.04%, the County had a collection rate above 99% for over a decade. A higher collection rate is one factor in stabilizing tax rates because it means a higher percentage of taxpayers are paying what they owe.

“I enjoy my job and I’m ready for a new challenge,” Scruggs said when asked why she decided to apply for the position of Tax Collector after Jackie Spencer announced her plans to retire. “I like the people in our office and wanted to make a seamless transition.”

I have a goal to provide Catawba County citizens with the best possible customer service. I would also like for Catawba County to reach a 99% tax collection rate again. Much of my past work history has given me experience in customer service but I also have the education and training necessary for me to be tough enough to enforce the State laws we have to enforce. I’m just really looking forward to a new challenge,” Scruggs added.

“Ona has long established working relationships with many officials statewide,” Moose said. “As a resident of Maiden, she is a community-oriented person who takes pride in serving our citizens in a fair and impartial manner. We are confident she will serve our citizens and the Tax Office in an outstanding manner once she assumes the duties of Tax Collector in May.”

For more information about the Catawba County Tax Collector’s Office, you may call 828-465-8400 or visit the Office’s web site at www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/tax.