Oswego County Treasurer Elected to Represent NYS at National Level

OSWEGO COUNTY – Oswego County Treasurer Kevin Gardner has been elected to represent New York State in the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance Officers (NACCTFO) for the next two years. The selection took place at the New York State Treasurers and Finance Officers Association (NYSTFOA) annual fall meeting in October.

“I am humbled beyond measure for this opportunity to provide a voice for finance officers across the state,” said Gardner. “My experience working with NYSTFOA has been invaluable and enabled me to take this next step. I look forward to continuing our state partnerships and expanding those networks at the federal level.”

Patrick Schmitt, current president of NYSTFOA and Wayne County Treasurer said that Gardner’s “exemplary service, not only to his home county, but to his fellow financial officers makes him a great candidate for this new role.

“Kevin has had a significant impact on our association, especially during his tenure as president last year,” he said. “He led a collaborative effort to develop and improve some of our processes, which will not only benefit the efficiency of treasurers’ offices across the state but will also, in turn, save their taxpayers money as well.”

In 2024, Gardner collaborated with the State University of New York (SUNY) system to spearhead the development of an online Certificate of Residency process aimed at saving time and money. In the past, students who were required to show proof of residency to institutions of higher learning had to take the time to visit their local treasurer’s office in person. This new process reduces wait times by allowing them to complete their transaction online at their convenience. It further streamlines the process for county treasurers’ offices by billing students’ home municipality directly.

Gardner also served on the panel that revised the New York State foreclosure process. In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for municipalities to retain surplus monies from the sale of foreclosed properties. Municipalities across the country were required to reassess their foreclosure process to comply with this new ruling.

Now, in New York State, the municipality can still re-coup its expenses and pay any lien holders with the money from a foreclosed property sold at auction. However, any money left after that goes back to the original property owner.

Earlier this year, Gardner was awarded “Financial Officer of the Year” at the New York State Association of Counties’ (NYSAC) Finance School. The award is voted on by NYSTFOA members and presented to an individual who contributed most significantly to the association over the past year.

He was also presented with a plaque recognizing his service as NYSTFOA’s past president during the Finance School meeting in May.

“These honors would not be possible without the support of my team in the Oswego County Treasurer’s Office and backing from the Oswego County Legislature,” Gardner said. “I’m grateful to have had this opportunity to serve them, as well as this association. I’m deeply proud of the partnerships and accomplishments we have made together and believe they will continue to guide and enhance our work as finance officers in the coming years.”

Gardner has served Oswego County residents as treasurer since 2018, but his career in public service dates back more than two decades. Before his tenure as treasurer, Gardner represented District 13 on the Oswego County Legislature. He began his first term in January 2004 and in May 2013, Gardner was elected chairman of the Legislature, a position he held for over four years before leaving to serve as county treasurer.

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