As a candidate for Salt Lake County Treasurer, many voters have asked me why I am running for that office and why they should vote for me.
The short answer is that I want to serve my community.
The long answer is that I grew up in rural Utah with food insecurity and limited resources. I watched my mother work three jobs, juggle expenses and argue with her husband over credit card bills. All of this uncertainty frightened me, leaving me determined to avoid similar money-related struggles as an adult.
Thankfully, my mom worked hard to make ends meet and was also able to send me to college. I became the first in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. I went to work, earned my Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license, started my own firm and built a practice by word of mouth. My humble beginnings drove me to work hard, spend carefully and invest wisely, allowing me to retire at the age of 51. I’ve felt so grateful for my financial freedom — a freedom I believe everyone has the right to achieve.
During the past 15 years of my career, my work centered on helping nonprofits and municipal governments. I found fulfillment working with these organizations because I knew I was also serving the broader community. My clients called me because I was known for my integrity, hard work, exceptional service, professional expertise and the ability to think outside the box. They counted on me to help them stay within budget, while successfully serving their mission and the community that relied on them. When I retired, I set out to find organizations that had missions I felt passionate about so I could join their board and further serve my community.
Salt Lake County’s $2 billion budget is primarily funded by our taxes. It serves 1.2 million people with support for facilities and programs that range from public libraries to law enforcement, and from aging services to economic development. The Treasurer’s Office is responsible for the management of our tax dollars in many ways. The billing and collection of those taxes are the treasurer’s most obvious responsibilities, but the treasurer is also responsible for distributing the funds according to the budget. The treasurer also invests and protects the dollars that are unspent.
What better way to serve my community?
So why should you vote for me? I am the only candidate running for this position who is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). That certification is the highest level available to an accountant and reflects licensure by the State of Utah that allows me to apply my skills in the public sphere.
More importantly, vote for me because tax dollars are your money. While I might not be able to help every resident achieve financial freedom, I absolutely can put my three decades of professional experience to work, ensuring that our government is working for Salt Lake County families like you. As a taxpayer and resident of Salt Lake County, you deserve to have the professional oversight of a CPA who is committed to serving you, regardless of political affiliation.
As noted, I understand what it is like to sacrifice a personal need in order to make ends meet, to experience food insecurity and how difficult it can be to navigate the complexities of applying for tax relief during difficult times. I am committed to making sure your tax dollars are safe so that you can focus on your day-to-day life and your efforts to achieve your financial freedom. And, when you have questions, I will be there to help you with kindness and respect, making sure that you get the answers you need.
My name is Sheila Srivastava, CPA. I have been endorsed by Mayors Jenny Wilson, Ben McAdams and Peter Corroon — all who understand the complexities of the Salt Lake County budget firsthand. I hope to earn your vote and I look forward to serving as your next Salt Lake County Treasurer.
(Sheila Srivastava) Sheila Srivastava is running for Salt Lake County Treasurer.
Sheila Srivastava is running for Salt Lake County Treasurer.
