Pretty much every state has an Unclaimed Property program, which is usually run by the state Treasurer’s office. These programs operate like centralized lost-and-found funds for money and other kinds of property – anything from cars, to industrial equipment, and even real estate – that doesn’t belong to the state, but the owner cannot be located. This money can come from all kinds of sources: refunds, unpaid wages, an inheritance from a distant relative, proceeds from a sale of some kind, and many other circumstances can result in a person having unclaimed property they don’t know about. (If you’re curious whether you’re owed anything, you can check! Search for [your state] + unclaimed property to find your state’s database. Or use the national database, linked below.)

Even though these programs are usually state-run, local financial officials can be really helpful in getting the word out. One such example is the City of Danville’s Treasurer’s Office annual collaboration with the Virginia Treasury Department, which as of 2023 had helped residents find over $796,000 in unclaimed funds. Each year, the Treasurer’s Office hosts a virtual call event and maintains a hotline. Residents can simply call in and a staff member walks them through the process of checking for any unclaimed property in their name. Programs like these are one of the most concrete ways that local governments can make a difference for their residents – in this case, by literally putting money back in their pockets.

Sources: WSET 13 News; Missing Money national unclaimed property database; the US Government’s list of other databases to search for unclaimed funds

Term limits: none; terms are four years

Eligibility: to run for any office in North Carolina, you must be at least 21 years old and eligible to vote in the state. There’s no specific qualification requirement for this role, but state law says the Tax Collector should be “a person of character and integrity whose experience in business and collection work” is acceptable to the local government

Every county in North Carolina has a Tax Collector, who leads the Tax Collection or Administration Office. This office collects local property and business taxes, and distributes them to the county government. Tax Collectors have a narrower job than Treasurers, because they only manage the revenue that comes from the specific taxes they collect. They also do not perform property value assessments – that’s the job of a Tax Assessor. 

In every county except for one, Tax Collectors are appointed by the county government, but in Haywood county, the Tax Collector is elected in a partisan election. In Haywood county, revenue from property and business taxes amounts to $40-50 million a year, which is almost half of the county government’s budget, making this an important money management role.

Sources: the North Carolina Constitution, Article VI; the North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 105; Mecklenburg County Office of the Tax Collector; Smoky Mountain News

Term limits: none; terms are four years

Eligibility: to serve in local government, you must be a registered Pennsylvania voter and have lived in the area you want to represent for at least one year. Some local governments require elected Treasurers to have previous experience as an accountant.

Most counties in Pennsylvania, along with some cities and larger towns, have an elected Treasurer. In the counties that don’t (including Delaware, Erie, Lehigh, Northampton, and Philadelphia), the Treasurer’s duties are handled by other officials appointed or hired by the county government. The Treasurer acts as the county’s main banker and local tax collector. Their main responsibilities are:

• Receiving and depositing county funds
• Keeping track of grant money the county receives from the state and federal government
• Paying the county government’s bills
• Overseeing tax billing and collection
• Issuing hunting, fishing, pet, and boating licenses
• Investing some of the county’s funds
  Treasurers have some power to make investment decisions, but there are some restrictions on what to invest in and for how long, depending on the county’s size
• Keeping thorough records of all the financial activities they manage

Smaller municipalities that don’t have elected Treasurers, like townships and boroughs, often have elected Tax Collectors instead. Tax Collectors have different responsibilities than Treasurers:

• Collecting certain types of local taxes (varies by township) and distributing them to the local government
  Usually municipal taxes, school real estate and personal taxes, some county taxes, and municipal assessment fees for things like garbage collection and street lights
• Restrictions on holding other offices
  In many townships, Tax Collectors are not allowed to hold any other elected office or have a job with the local government
• Training required
  Elected Tax Collectors must complete training and an exam, plus at least 2 hours of continuing education every year they serve

Sources: the Constitution of Pennsylvania; the Pennsylvania Statutes Title 16 Chapter 123 and 1955 Act 130; the County Treasurer’s Association of Pennsylvania; Indiana County Government; Snyder County Government; Pennsylvania Tax Collector’s Manual

Term limits: none; terms are four years

Eligibility: to run for Treasurer, you must be qualified to vote in Virginia, a resident of the county or city you want to represent, and have been a resident of Virginia for at least one year. 

Each county and independent city in Virginia has a Treasurer, who is elected at-large by all the voters of the locality. The Treasurer’s main responsibilities are:

• Managing all the county’s funds, and keeping track of how funds are used
• Collecting taxes, fees, and other kinds of revenue
  Treasurers are responsible for collecting personal property, real estate, and state income taxes; along with other fees like animal licenses, parking fines, and water and sewer payments
• Providing residents with resources and information about taxes and other financial topics
• Investing the county’s funds responsibly
• Managing and assisting with unclaimed property claims

Sources: the Constitution of Virginia; the Code of Virginia; King George County Treasurer; King William County Treasurer; Chesterfield County Treasurer