Two candidates will face off for the office of Platte County Collector – Republican Jim Bosch and independent candidate Holly Cayer.
JIM BOSCH
Bosch, 71, is from Edgerton. Married, he is the father of four and a grandfather to 10 children. He retired from Harley Davidson Motor Company and worked there as a team leader, writing work instructions and leading production on the floor in the paint department.
“Most of my career was spent in the blue collar world so I have a very strong work ethic and drive to get the job done,” Bosch said. “I think my work ethic along with my leadership skills learned on the job have prepared me to be the next Platte County Collector.”
Bosch said he wants to help change the culture at the courthouse and serve the citizens of the county, as well as working together with the other elected officials.
“I believe I can be more responsive to the citizens’ needs and bring tax saving legislation implementation in a more timely manner.”
Bosch said the amount that the citizens have to pay in taxes is completely out of control.
“I understand it is not the job of the collector to reduce taxes, but when legislation is passed, it should be implemented as soon as possible.”
Bosch is referring to the lawsuit he and Jason Maki filed against current Collector Sheila Palmer regarding implementation of the Homestead Tax Credit.
“On day one, implementation of the Homestead Tax Credit will start. And then as the legislature in Jefferson City finds new ways to help reduce the tax burden on the citizens, it will be my job to take action on that.”
HOLLY CAYER
Cayer, 47, is from Weston. Married, she has an adult and teen child. She holds a degree in business administration and 15 years of office experience. Currently, she is the assistant chief deputy in the Platte County Collector’s Office. She has also worked at Platte Valley Bank.
“I have firsthand, hands-on experience with the work this office does and understand the importance of collecting and disbursing tax monies accurately and responsibly. I’m not coming into this position needing to learn the basics of the office. I already understand its responsibilities, its challenges, and the importance of serving the taxpayers of Platte County.”
Cayer is running for collector because she believes her experience matters.
“I want to build on the experience I’ve gained, continue serving the people of Platte County, and make sure taxpayers receive dependable service. For me, this campaign is about putting qualifications, experience, and the needs of the people ahead of politics.”
Cayer said her goal is to make sure taxpayers can trust that their tax bills are handled correctly and that the money collected is properly accounted for and disbursed.
One of the biggest challenges of the office is keeping up with the the demands of serving a growing community while ensuring tax bills are accurate and tax monies are collected and disbursed properly and on time.
“Property taxes can be confusing for taxpayers, especially when changes in property assessments, tax rates, credits, or state programs affect what they owe. Programs such as the Senior Tax Credit and Homestead Credit can also create questions, and taxpayers need clear, accurate information to understand what applies to their situation. Looking ahead, the office must continue to adapt to changing laws, technology, and taxpayer expectations while maintaining accuracy, protecting taxpayer dollars, and providing dependable customer service. Public trust is essential, and taxpayers deserve transparency and confidence in how their money is handled.”
Cayer said if elected she would focus on accuracy, efficiency and customer service by supporting employees to do their jobs well and by making sure taxpayers have access to clear and accurate information. She said she would also continue looking for ways to improve office procedures, making sure to stay up on the latest technology, use resources responsibly, and make it easier for taxpayers to get answers to their questions.