A treasurer is an officer entrusted with the valuables or money either
of a private individual, a corporation, a company, or a state. There
are state treasuries as well as the U.S. Treasury, which is a federal executive
department established in 1789. The U.S treasurer advises the president
on fiscal policy and acts as fiscal agent for the federal government.
Treasurers have a duty to use ordinary diligence in the performance
of his office, and to account with those whose money he has.
The following is an example of a state statute defining the duties of
its treasurer:
"(1) To receive and keep the money of the county and disburse the same
as below stated:
- To pay out of the general fund of the county, on presentation and
without being audited and allowed by the county commission, all grand and
petit juror certificates and to pay all other claims against the general
funds that must be allowed and audited only after they have been audited
and allowed and a warrant has issued therefor, but only to the extent so
allowed, any warrant to the contrary notwithstanding, and in making payments
from said fund he shall observe the order of preference as prescribed by
section 11-12-15.
- To keep in well-bound books separate registers of claims presented
against the general fund, the special fund if any and the fine and forfeiture
fund.
- To number and register in the order in which they are presented all
claims against the general fund which have been audited and allowed by
the county commission as claims against such fund, such register to show
the number of the claim, the date presented for registration, to whom allowed,
when allowed, the character of the claim and the amount thereof and, except
as otherwise provided by law, to pay the same in order of their registration.
He must in like manner number, register and pay all claims allowed against
a fund raised for a special purpose.
- To number and register in the order in which they are presented all
claims against the fine and forfeiture fund which have been duly authenticated
as claims against such fund and without being audited and allowed by the
county commission, such register to show the number of the claim, the date
presented for registration, to whom payable, when it accrued, the character
of the claim and the amount thereof and to pay the registered claims of
state witnesses in the order of their registration, and, whenever there
is a surplus of such fund over and above the sum required to pay the registered
claims of state witnesses, he must apply such surplus to the payment of
the claims of officers of court in the order of their registration. All
local laws in conflict herewith are hereby expressly repealed.
- To endorse, upon the registration of a claim, the number and date
of registration and sign his name thereto.
- To give a receipt when a claim is received in payment of a debt due
the county, showing a description of the claim and the name of the person
and character of the debt on whose account the claim was received.
- To make a receipt on the payment of any claim and when a claim of
any character is paid or received by him, he must cancel the same by defacing
or mutilating it so as to show that it is of no further value and, if registered,
write upon the register against the claim the word "paid" and the date
of such payment.
- To keep a correct account of the receipts and disbursements of all
money received by him for the county, according to the forms prescribed
in this section, charging himself with all moneys so received, from whom,
on what account and the amount and crediting himself with all payments,
stating the number and character of the claim, in whose favor and the amount.
(2) To examine the dockets of the circuit courts and sheriff semiannually,
to demand and receive all moneys due to the county and to institute proceedings
against defaulters.
(3) To submit to the county commission at the first term in October
of each year the register of claims, his account for the year balanced,
vouchers for the payments, and an estimate of the indebtedness of the county
for the coming year and the means of providing for the same.
(4) To make reports and give information to the county commission, when
required, respecting all matters relating to the finances of the county.
(5) To furnish the chairman of the county commission in October of each
year a verified statement of all moneys received by him for the county
during the preceding year and of all claims received by him in lieu of
money which are receivable in payment of county taxes, which statement
must designate the time and person from whom such moneys or claims were
received.
(6) To keep his office within one mile of the courthouse of the county.
(7) To perform such other duties as are or may be by law required of
him."
Related Terms
Terms with 'Treasurer'
