SALINE COUNTY -- Saline County Treasurer Jeff Murrie said he intends to run for re-election in 2018.
Though petitions can't be obtained, circulated and turned in until after this Tuesday, Murrie is one of several Saline County candidates who have already announced their intention to run for office.
Murrie got into politics in 2012 when he was elected to a two-year term on the Saline County Board. He was re-elected in 2014, then was appointed treasurer after the retirement of former Treasurer Danny Ragan in 2016.
Representing small business in county politics is what got Murrie into politics initially.
"I looked at the county board at the time and thought we didn't have too many small business people on the board," Murrie said. "Small business owners have to see where the money comes from, earn it and be responsible for it in their livelihoods."
He said he believes he has handled county money responsibly, and wants to continue.
"I want to appreciate the money that comes in, budget accordingly and be held accountable," Murrie said. "As taxpayers and as small businesses, we're paying taxes and we'd like to see it run efficiently."
He said the greatest challenge facing Saline County is increasing expenses and decreasing revenues.
"When we do the budget, we're going to have to cut each officeholder's budget," Murrie said. "The revenue's just not coming in."
He said the county may have to make tough choices in the next year or two.
"I hate to see somebody laid off, and I don't want the county to lose services, but we are going to have to watch our spending," Murrie said.
Murrie is married to the former Ronita Rann, and the couple has two daughters, Rachel and Jenny. Murrie started Murrie Car Care Inc. on Granger Street in Harrisburg, and Ronita is currently president of the corporation.
Murrie graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1979, and has lived here his whole life. He belongs to the Harrisburg Town and Country Lions and was a member of Harrisburg Jaycees in the early 1980s.
He said as current treasurer, he's very pleased with his department's staff.
"I've got some really good employees, and I'm not looking to change anything right now," Murrie said.
He says he makes himself available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"When I was self-employed, I took it seriously when I would tell people I was going to be there," he said.
He also donated his parking spot close to the courthouse so that it could be used for those with mobility impairments. He parks in the county lot two blocks away.
A trivia night fundraiser for his campaign will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Harrisburg Town and Country Lions Club with an entry fee of $100 per table.
