Charlottesville City Treasurer
Charlottesville voters in 2025 will elect the City Treasurer, a constitutional officer serving as the city’s chief fiscal manager responsible for preparing, mailing, and collecting all property tax bills, business taxes, fees, and various revenues — including meals, lodging, vehicle licenses, parking fines, trash decals, and more. The Treasurer also oversees investments, cash management, disbursements, and reconciliations for the city, schools, and retirement fund, acting as a fiscal agent and custodian to ensure financial stability and transparency. Voting in this election is vital because the Treasurer’s stewardship directly impacts the city’s capacity to fund essential services like education, public safety, infrastructure, and community programs.
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Jason A. Vandever
(Dem)
What qualifications and experiences make you the best candidate to serve as Treasurer?
How will you improve fairness and transparency in the collection of taxes, fees, and revenues?
What steps would you take to support residents and businesses with navigating payments and relief programs?
How will you modernize the office’s services to make them more efficient and accessible?
Biography
For the past seventeen years I've worked for the City of Charlottesville, and for thirteen of those years I've served as Treasurer. Prior to working for the City I spent three years in retail banking. I grew up in Charlottesville and graduated from Charlottesville High School before obtaining a Bachelor's Degree from James Madison University. I also received a Master's Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech and a Master's Degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. In my time at the City I have focused on revising and modernizing the City's collection approach, implementing a new Tax Billing and Cashiering System, improving revenue projections and retirement fund stability and sustainability, and enhancing the City's investment program. My wife teaches in Charlottesville City Schools and we have three children who also attend Charlottesville City Schools.
I believe my combination of experience, skills, and education best suit me to serve as Treasurer for the City of Charlottesville. Since 2008 I have worked in the Treasurer's Office, and have served as Treasurer since the end of 2012. Additionally I earned a Master's Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech and a Master's Degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. I also bring a broad experience in tax billing and collections, banking and cash management, and investments to the job.
Improving fairness and equity is something that I have focused on as Treasurer over my time in office. A few years ago we revamped our collection policies for past due taxes, promoting proactive strategies to make sure taxpayers were aware of their liabilities and give taxpayers the tools efficiently pay on time such as e-billing, automatic payment plans, and a fee-free e-check option for tax payments. We've eliminated excessive collection fees and proactively helped to make sure everyone eligible for City relief programs are able to apply and qualify. Additionally we've worked with local non-profits to help homeowners navigate the complexities of home ownership and taxation to help keep long-time homeowners in their homes.
Our office continues to look at emerging technologies to make payments easier and more efficient. We recently implemented a comprehensive business tax portal and assisted Neighborhood Development Services in implementing online payments for building permits. We continue to keep an eye out for any technologies that will help improve the taxpayer experience. In regards to relief, we have leveraged staff resources to personally call every taxpayer eligible for tax relief programs as deadlines approach to remind them to apply. We also proactively promote the City's relief programs when interacting with home owners who may be eligible, and work to connect with them with area non-profits for assistance when applicable.
We continue to innovate in this area, adding services in City Hall such as DMV Select and US Passport applications. Additionally we utilize the City's new language translation services to assist English Language Learners. Additionally we are looking at emergent technologies that can improve the payment flow for taxpayers and find more efficient ways for residents to conduct business with the City.
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