L. David Henry - Candidate Questionnaire

Name:  L. David Henry

Age: 42

Occupation: Commissioner of the Revenue

Family: Daughter- Hannah Henry, 13

            Son- Layton Henry, III, 10

Education: Master Commissioner of Revenue, Weldon Cooper Center, University of Virginia and Bachelor of Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Economics.    

Military Service: None

Religion: Active member of Highlands Fellowship Church, Abingdon, Virginia.

Past political office held: Commissioner of the Revenue

Qualifications for office:  Eight years experience working for Fred Parker at the Washington County Treasurer’s office. Three years experience working for Melvin Ritchie in the Washington County Commissioner’s office. I have completed all the qualifications to become a Certified Master Commissioner of Revenue. Since elected in 2007, I have served the citizens of Washington County as Commissioner of Revenue. I have clean audits for every year I have been in office. Not including the 80 million dollar assessment to Saltville Gas Storage, I have located personal property assets, mainly from out of town business owners, with a total assessed value of over 20 million dollars. This keeps taxes low for Washington County residents and ensures that everyone pays their fair share.     

Your campaign message in a nutshell:  I feel like the office of Commissioner of Revenue is important to Washington County. With the exception of state funding, all of the revenue generated for our schools, public safety, recreation, volunteer organizations, etc. is generated by the commissioner’s office. The taxpayers deserve to have an experienced professional in this position with working knowledge of how to run the office efficiently. I have a professional staff with experience and knowledge who are dedicated to customer service and fair taxation. 

Why are you running?  Washington County is home to me. I want to continue serving the citizens in a fair and professional manner.   

What are the most significant issues facing Washington County related to the office you are seeking, and how would you help to address them if elected?

 The most significant issues facing Washington County related to my office are the ever changing issues of taxation.  Each year the Department of Taxation makes changes to the tax code.  The staff here at my office has the knowledge to understand these changes and years of experience necessary to apply them in a way that will help our residents. Fair assessments are another issue that I have worked on since the day I took office. Before anybody has to face unnecessary tax increases, I want to make sure that everybody is paying their fair share. This is the reason that my staff and I work every New Years day assessing personal property at campgrounds, marinas, county parks, and construction sites throughout the county.      

What in your background uniquely qualifies you to serve in the office you’re seeking?

I have dedicated the last fifteen years to learning how county government works. I have completed the Washington County Leadership Program as well as a very in-depth training and certification program through the Virginia Commissioner of Revenue’s Association at the University of Virginia. I have served as Commissioner of the Revenue since 2008.

What specific things would you do if elected to improve the service citizens receive from your office?

I will continue working with the Information Technology department to develop better procedures to process applications for the tax exemption program for the elderly and disabled.  I would also like to streamline new construction processing with appraising companies in order to maintain the most current up to date real estate records possible.

What will be your main goal if elected?

I would like to have every member of my staff certified through the Commissioner of the Revenues’ Association. This education will give my employees the knowledge needed to effectively discover and assess personal property and complete state tax returns for the citizens of Washington County. I am a strong supporter of the Land Use program and will continue to support it as a way to promote open space land in Washington County. Using the latest technology, I will strive to maintain accurate real estate tax records and serve as a liaison between the citizens of Washington County and the real estate assessors. 

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

 I am a native of Washington County.  This is, and always has been, home to me.  I have the experience and qualifications necessary to represent you as your Commissioner of Revenue. I have proven that I will serve the public in a manner they have grown accustomed to over the last 36 years.