Watch the VideoJim Rokakis, Cuyhoga County Treasurer, discusses a proposed Ohio bill to land bank foreclosed properties.
Rokakis took office in March 1997 after serving for more than 19 years on Cleveland City Council, the last seven as chairman of the finance committee. He has brought sweeping reform to the treasurer's office, overhauling the county property tax collection system by instituting more efficient collection and disbursement of tax revenue.
Rokakis also revolutionized the way Ohio counties collect delinquent property taxes by working to pass House Bill 371 which allows county treasurers in Ohio's largest counties to sell their property tax liens to private entities. Additionally, he spearheaded House Bill 294 which streamlines the foreclosure process for abandoned properties and was instrumental in creating Cuyahoga County's "Don't Borrow Trouble" foreclosure provention program.
