Clay County Elected Officials

Lori Johnson, Clay County Auditor

Lori J. Johnson
Clay County Treasurer

Current term expires in 2010
Served as Treasurer since 2003

Clay County Treasurer
(click the above link for detailed Treasurer's Office information)

The Clay County Treasurer is elected every four years. As cash manager for the county, the principal responsibility is prudent care of county funds.

The Treasurer is responsible for current year property tax collections, mobile home tax, personal property tax, severed mineral interest tax, and transmission and distribution line tax, as well as collections from all county departments. An accounting is made of the collections, they are deposited to designated depositories and idle funds are invested.

Investments are made in accordance with Minnesota statutes and Clay County Investment Policy. Securities are pledged by financial institutions as collateral for investments exceeding insurance limits.

Funds are disbursed by the County Treasurer after approval from the Clay County Board of Commissioners and are based on Minnesota state law authorization.

Property tax settlements are made to fund the county, cities, schools, townships and watershed districts. Tax settlements are based on property values, budget levies and collection of the tax.

Clay County Treasurer staff includes a Chief Deputy Treasurer, one Deputy Treasurer and two part time Deputy Treasurers.

Lori J. Johnson graduated from Concordia College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 after which she passed the CPA Exam. Lori worked for the State Auditor's Office until 1987 when she began as Clay County's Financial Manager and held that position until 1997 when she became the Clay County Auditor. She was appointed Clay County Treasurer to fill a vacancy in that office in 2003. The offices of the Treasurer and the Auditor will be combined in 2007.

Lori currently serves as Chairman of the Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative, Vice-chair of the Finance/General Government User Group and Chairman of the Joint IFS Committee.