BENTONVILLE -- Gloria Peterson is seeking a sixth term as Benton County collector.
Peterson, 77, of Rogers, a Republican, was first elected collector in 2008. She has worked in the Collector's Office since 2002, when she served 14 months as interim collector and then was office supervisor until she took office in 2009.
She had no opposition as of Tuesday. Filing ends Thursday.
"I love my job, and I'm dedicated to it," Peterson said. "I am blessed to serve in this position. Every day is a new opportunity to serve taxpayers."
The county collector is the collector of taxes for the county, cities, school districts and other taxing entities. The taxes are turned over to the county treasurer to be disbursed among the taxing entities. The annual salary for the collector is $94,657. The term of office will be four years beginning in 2019.
Peterson graduated from Amarillo High School in Amarillo, Texas. She has a long history of working in Benton County government, having worked in the Assessor's Office for nine years and serving as county treasurer for 18 years.
The Collector's Office has a $1.6 million budget and 26 employees in five offices. Peterson said she's focused on providing the most efficient service to the public, including keeping the office with up-to-date equipment and technology.
Taxpayers can make payments in person, over the phone and online, she said. With the volume of cash handled by the office, she said, she recently invested in a currency counting machine for the main offices in Bentonville and Rogers.
"A lot of people pay with cash only at these locations, so this provides efficiency and faster service," she said. "You have to stay in touch with the latest technology."
Peterson said she's committed to serving another term if elected but hasn't made any decisions beyond that.
"I'm at a point where I focus on each day, trying to do the best job I can every day," she said.
NW News on 02/28/2018