Sandoval County Treasurer’s Office now accepting applications for the 2024 Junior Treasurers’ Program

Sandoval County Treasurer Jennifer A. Taylor announced Aug. 13 that her office is now accepting applications for the 2024 Junior Treasurers’ Program.

This is the second year of the program. Taylor encourages all Sandoval County high school juniors and seniors to apply.

“Our inaugural year with the Junior Treasurers’ Program proved to be a huge success,” Taylor said. “We look forward to again providing hands-on learning of local government through this program.”

Taylor said participation in the program is an excellent addition to a student’s resume or higher education application. This free-of-charge program will be held concurrent with the fall 2024 school semester.

Natalia Shije, from the Zia Pueblo, and Daniela (Dani) Villatoro, from Rio Rancho High School, spent their fall semester last year in the Junior County Treasurers program.

“As one of the Sandoval County Junior Treasurers, it was a great honor to participate in the program,” Villatoro said. “It was an amazing experience for personal growth that required leadership and commitment. Being provided with the opportunity to develop my management skills alongside adept professionals was new, but they were dedicated to making the project as digestible as possible. Not once was I made to feel inferior nor ashamed about my lack of experience.”

How to apply for the program

Interested students (high school juniors and seniors in Sandoval County) must submit a short essay of 500 words or less that explains why they would like to participate in the program. A panel of three will review all the submitted essays and select two Junior County Treasurers. Essays are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 2. The two selected candidates will be announced Sept. 16.

Applicants should email essays in PDF format to Taylor at jtaylor@sandovalcountynm.gov.

If you have questions, contact Orlando A. Jacquez, administrative assistant to the Treasurer’s Office, at 505-867-7579 or ojacquez@sandovalcountynm.gov.

About the program

While participating in the semester-long program, the Junior County Treasurers will learn how the county:

• Collects property taxes, and

• How the money collected is allocated to various groups such as DWI, fire and 911 services, libraries, public safety, senior programs, roads and infrastructure, landfill, and detention center.

Junior Treasurers also learn basic customer service skills as the Treasurer’s Office works with the public and for the public. This program also provides opportunities for the Junior Treasurers to practice public speaking.

Curriculum requirements are:

• Attendance at a Sandoval County Commission meeting,

• Attendance at a Board of Finance meeting,

• Attendance at a Sandoval County Investment Committee meeting,

• Participation in a mock Board of Finance meeting.

Upon completion of these activities, each Junior County Treasurer receives a plaque of recognition at a county commission meeting.

“I was a little skeptical at first as it wasn’t something I was really interested in, but then I thought it would be a great opportunity to gain more knowledge about the treasurer’s position as well as the process of collecting and distributing taxes,” Shije said. “I really liked the positive and encouraging environment; everyone is very welcoming. Also, I like the process of how they collect taxes and how they are constantly trying to find ways to accommodate people in paying their taxes.”