Pheasant says county needs experienced treasurer

MOSES LAKE — Thirty-two years.

That’s how long Darryl Pheasant has been the Grant County treasurer.

“We need a person who knows all the laws, can explain what is going on, why taxes are the way they are, the options that are available, and make sure you’re getting good information,” Pheasant said in a recent candidate interview with the Columbia Basin Herald.

Pheasant, who is running for a ninth term in this November’s general election, said the treasurer position is effectively the county’s chief financial officer and requires the kind of experience and deep knowledge that he gained over the last three decades.

The treasurer regular advises county commissioners on the budget, Pheasant said, and he has to have “intricate knowledge” of the fund structure in order to tell commissioners if there’s money to do something.

As the county’s tax collector — never a popular position — Pheasant said he’s also learned how to help people who have questions or problems with their taxes.

“A lot of people come in and are not prepared, so we help them,” he said. “We’re taking hard-earned money out of the taxpayers’ pockets, but it’s important to treat everyone equally.”

During his lengthy tenure, Pheasant said he’s worked with state legislators to help change the state’s laws, include an end to the advance tax and plats. Currently, Pheasant said he is lobbying legislators to change how mobile homes are taxed, making them more like stick-built homes and thus make payments easier for mobile home owners.

“You have to know the law,” Pheasant said. “I’ve had to become my own attorney, and that lets me explain to taxpayers how the law works, what we can and cannot do.”

“You have to be a voice for all the taxpayers and taxing districts,” he said.

Grant County has 64 different entities entitled to levy property taxes or assessments — from the county itself to school districts, cities, down to several mosquito control districts and a small lighting district in the Larson Community — creating a complicated web of taxing districts that can lead to some interesting tax bills.

Pheasant said he is honored to serve the county, and will keep serving as long as he can.

“I’m committed to run as long as I’m effective,” he said.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.