Ackerley and Johnson Clash Over Taxpayer Funds and Software Solutions in Pima County Treasurer Showdown

On November 5, Pima County voters face a choice between incumbent Republican Treasurer Chris Ackerley and Democratic challenger Brian Johnson. Each candidate offers distinct strategies for managing taxpayer funds, particularly regarding investment priorities and technology use.

Chris Ackerley, the incumbent, has positioned himself as a fiscal conservative. His background includes teaching physics and mathematics before entering politics and serving one term in the state Legislature from 2014. He emphasizes his experience and claims to prioritize safe and profitable investments for taxpayer dollars.

Ackerley’s investment strategy revolves around conservative bond management. He refers to the substantial deposits managed by his office, noting the distribution among various jurisdictions. “It is not my money. It is not the government’s. It’s yours,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to safeguarding taxpayer investments.

He explained that his office currently invests in high-rated bonds, maintaining liquidity with a maturity timeframe typically between one and a half to two years. By keeping a diversified investment portfolio, Ackerley seeks to minimize risk, stating, “We don’t want all of our eggs in one basket.” He asserts that political considerations should not interfere with investment choices, a point of contention with Johnson.

Brian Johnson counters Ackerley’s fiscal conservatism with a vision focused on community investments. With 14 years serving Pima County, including positions in the Assessors Office and finance department, Johnson aims to draft a new investment policy aligned with the Prosperity Initiative adopted by Pima County and Tucson’s governments. He insists a comprehensive investment strategy is overdue, as the last policy expired in 1995.

According to Johnson, investment should not merely prioritize financial returns but also consider long-term community benefits. He advocates for directing funds towards no-interest loans for affordable housing projects, arguing that such initiatives generate lasting value beyond immediate financial metrics.

On the technology front, Ackerley supports maintaining an in-house software system currently used in the Treasurer’s Office. He believes this model allows for rapid and cost-effective adjustments. “Our system we are in control of,” he noted, attributing the ability to make real-time changes to his IT team’s efforts.

Conversely, Johnson argues for outsourcing to a larger software company to enhance efficiency, expressing concern over delays and errors in current processes. He suggests that integrated software would streamline operations, particularly for property tax assessments, reducing the potential for taxpayer frustration.

With contrasting visions on investment strategies and technology implementation, Ackerley and Johnson present voters with a clear choice regarding the future management of Pima County’s financial resources.