Jason E. Salus is the treasurer for Montgomery County (Image courtesy of Montgomery County)
We've reviewed the purpose of nine of the county's row offices, in addition to the commissioners.
We hope you are both enjoying and learning something from our exploration of Managing Montco. Each day, we aim to take a deeper dive into a role of a department within the county. We want to help you understand who that person is, what they do for the county, and what they can do to help you.
We are breaking down the roles of the nine departments known as “Row Officers,” and today’s feature is our ninth office, that of the County’s treasurer.
Who is the Montgomery County Treasurer?
Currently, the treasurer of Montgomery County is an elected official named Jason E. Salus. Salus attended both Pennsylvania State University, with a degree in finance, as well as Temple University, for his MBA.
Prior to his election as country treasurer in 2011, Salus served as Conshohocken Borough’s Ward One Councilman. Hailing from Springfield Township, Montgomery County, he now lives with his wife, son, and daughter in Whitemarsh.
What does the county treasurer do?
In short, a treasurer for a Pennsylvania county is an elected official that is the “custodian” to all the county’s funds. The payment of county taxes, fess, state and federal grants, and any other monies due to be paid to the county are received and deposited by the treasurers’ office.
As treasurer, Salus is also responsible for the payment of all funds on “proper authorization” (typically from the commissioners) for any obligations incurred by the county. For example, if the county owes an institution money, it is Salus that must be sure it is paid.
Lastly, Salus is responsible for investing the county’s funds, as well. All told, the treasurer is the bill payer, receiver, and investor of all things county finance. He also is a Chairman for the county’s Investment Board, the treasurer of the county’s Employee Retirement System, and a member of the Depository Board, in addition to his role as Director of Tax Claim.
Why do I need to visit the county treasurer?
It may not seem, at first glance, that you’d have many probable interactions with such a row office, but many of the county’s residents do need to visit the county treasurer, or at least request services online.
In addition to handling finances, Salus is an “agent of the state.” This means that he operates the office for state license requirements, such as those for:
and similar state-level required documents. Additionally, it is the office that collects the 4% hotel room occupancy tax for the county’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
You can apply for your dog’s license online here. Those found to be without a license can face up to a $500 fine, plus court costs, per unlicensed dog. Licenses for dogs must be purchased annually, and they are only good from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, no matter when in the year you made the purchase. A lifetime license can also be purchased, if you worry you will forget to renew each year.
The treasurer’s office also maintains a list of those in the county delinquent on their county taxes, as well as an online portal to pay such taxes on your property. These taxes, in accordance with state Tax Sale law, formulate the “Sheriff’s Sale” list as many call it. (Technically there is an annual Upset Sale, Private Sale, Judicial Sale, and Repository Sale, which are all coordinated through the treasurer.)
Where can I find the county treasurer?
Salus’ office is located at One Montgomery Plaza, in Norristown, on the sixth floor. To reach the treasurer, call 610-278-3066. Those with delinquent taxes can call 610-278-1216. The office is open from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. It is closed on federal holidays. You can also email [email protected].
