The Itat Quarterly

Q: How long have you been treasurer for Jones County?
A: On June 5th it will be 18 years.

Q: How did you get your start?
A: I interviewed for the Tax Deputy position in the Jones County Treasurer’s Office in the spring of my senior year at the University of Wyoming. The prior Treasurer hired me after two phone interviews and had never met me face to face. 10 years later when she resigned, I was appointed to fulfill her term.

Q: How many team members do you have in your office?
A: There are seven employees in the treasurer’s office including myself.

Q: What are some successes that you have had during your time as treasurer?
A: I have served on both the ISCTA board and the ICTEA board.  I helped to bring online tax sales to Iowa and assure the process was compliant with Iowa law.  I started a grass roots campaign to increase funding to counties providing Driver’s License services. This came to fruition in the Spring of 2023 when the legislature passed a bill allowing counties to charge a ten dollar convenience fee to individuals that do not reside in that county or pay property taxes in that county.

Q: What are some challenges you have faced and how have you overcome those challenges?
A: It’s always a challenge staying current on new legislation and rules.

Q: What solutions or accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: My contribution to the online tax sale, passage of legislation to allow for the collection of the driver’s license ten dollar convenience fee, and running unopposed in five elections for Jones County Treasurer.

Q: What are your future goals for your team and your office?
A: To continue providing courteous and efficient service to our customers and increase the revenue brought into our county for driver’s license services.

Q: What are you looking forward to most?
A: Retirement!

Q: What is something about you that most people don't know?
A: I was born in Australia and skipped fourth grade.

Q: What is something unique to your county?
A: Jones County is the birthplace of Grant Wood, an American painter best known for his painting American Gothic featuring a pitchfork-bearing farm couple. The first county fair in Iowa was held in Jones County.

Q: Any closing comments?
A: One of my favorite aspects of my job is dispelling the stereotype that government or department of motor vehicle offices are rude and unhelpful. I truly love serving customers and helping them to overcome obstacles. 

Amy L. Picray, Jones County Treasurer