Treasurer Race - Carli Pinner

DELAWARE COUNTY — Carli Pinner is the Republican nominee for Treasurer in the Nov. 4 election. She cited experience as a major factor, saying that it is “everything in this race.”

“It’s not just about titles or years worked, it’s about what you’ve actually done and what you're currently doing,” she said.

Pinner cited her current position as Delaware County’s Fiscal Manager, the “highest-level accounting position in Delaware County government.” She added that she is responsible for the financial documents used by current Treasurer Beverly Shields “from investment reports and recommendations to cash flow analysis to compliance with audit requirements.  It’s hands-on, detailed work, and it’s the kind of experience that directly connects to the responsibilities of the Treasurer.”

Pinner said that she was “I’m running on what I’m already doing to manage taxpayer dollars. I understand the systems, the processes, and the people involved because I work with them every day. That’s the kind of experience that matters.”

When asked about support, Pinner said that among her endorsements, many have “come from officials who understand county government and the financial responsibilities of the Treasurer’s Office. These are people who’ve worked in tax collection, accounting, budgeting, and investments and I think their support reflects their confidence in my ability to do the job. Most are also people  who have witnessed my professional growth first hand.”

She said that the officials know her work and have seen how she manages “complex financial systems,” how she prepares for audits, and works across departments.

“I think they recognize that I’m not here for politics, I’m here because I care about serving the people of this county in the most responsible way possible,” she said.

“Their endorsements mean a lot, especially because they come from people who truly understand what this job takes. Their support also makes me feel like experience, integrity, and hard work still matter,” she added.

Pinner said that if she were elected, her top priorities would be “maintaining strong financial oversight, ensuring transparency, and supporting the departments and taxpayers who rely on the Treasurer’s Office.”

Pinner said that she would ensure a “smooth transition” and would continue current progress, such as offering online tax payments. She would also add more information, commonly used forms, and documents, to the Delaware County website while moving away from paper and toward digital documents, which she said would increase efficiency.

The candidate said that Delaware County has faced challenges due to COVID-era foreclosure moratoriums, court decisions, and changes in state law.

“These delays created a backlog, but we’re moving forward.  Just last month, the county held its first online tax auction, and it went well.  In fact, much better than expected,” she said.

Pinner told us that running as the Treasurer’s office would be the “next step in my professional career. I am the Fiscal Manager in the Department of Fiscal Affairs, a recent promotion from Business Manager in the same department. The Fiscal Manager position is the highest accounting position within the County, after the Treasurer, so this next step seems to be the most fitting given my B.S. in Business Administration and professional experience.” 

The candidate said that she was invited to work at the County Fiscal Affairs department, which was created in the early 2000s. 

“But it’s important to understand, this change was strictly administrative. It did not alter the law. The legal responsibilities of the Treasurer remained exactly the same, as defined under New York State County Law,” Pinner said. She added that the Treasurer is the Chief Fiscal Officer of the county and as the current Fiscal Manager she “directly supports those statutory duties.”

“That administrative shift created what I often refer to as an invisible line between our departments. On paper, it may appear that we operate separately. But in practice, we work together, side by side, every single day. The Treasurer still approves all investments, reviews the financial documents I prepare, signs off on fund transfers, and it is her signature on every county check,” she said.

“Some are trying to use this structural detail to confuse voters or discredit the work I do. But anyone in either office can tell you, we work as a team to fulfill the Treasurer’s statutory duties,” Pinner added.

“At the end of the day, we support one another to get the job done and serve the people of Delaware County.”