On July 14, 2026, the Sweden Town Board unanimously adopted a local law to change the Tax Receiver position from elected to annually appointed by the Town Board. Because this local law is subject to a mandatory referendum, the final decision rests with the voters in November.
A little background—when the previous Tax Receiver resigned from the position in October 2025, Kathy Roberts stepped in and agreed to stay until the end of this year, December 2026, with the hope this local law would pass. The rationale behind this proposal focused on improving administration, accountability, and continuity of service. We, the staff, have been quietly suggesting and discussing this change within our departments for many years because it makes sense. There are 19 towns in Monroe County—16 have appointed tax receivers.
The Town Board has a responsibility to ensure that municipal operations are efficient, accountable, and responsive to the needs of our residents. An appointed Tax Receiver is directly accountable to the Town Board for job performance, compliance with policies and procedures, and customer service. The Town Board can set office hours, require monthly reporting, and address resident complaints, which has not been the case in the past for the elected position.
Appointment allows the Town Board to select the most qualified individual based on education, experience, financial knowledge, customer service skills, and familiarity with municipal operations. The elected office is determined by voters and does not require candidates to possess specific technical qualifications.
The Tax Receiver needs to work closely with the Town Clerk, Finance Director, Assessor, and other municipal departments. Appointment allows the Town Board to build a collaborative management team with shared goals, improving communication and operational efficiency.
Changing the Tax Receiver from elected to appointed is intended to strengthen the administration of town government. The change is not intended to diminish the importance of the office, but rather to align it with best practices in municipal administration and the evolving operational needs of local government.
I have served as the Town Clerk since 2004, giving me more than two decades of experience with the operations of the office. During that time, I have seen many individuals come and go, worked through a wide range of office dynamics, and gained valuable insight into what contributes to an effective and efficient workplace. Based on that experience, I believe this proposed change will strengthen both the position and the overall functioning of the office. For these reasons, I strongly support this local law.
Karen M. Sweeting
Sweden Town Clerk
