As a result of a Charter Amendment passed by the voters in November 2001, the county auditor’s office merged with the county treasurer’s office into a new office. The treasurer’s office was renamed the Fiscal Office and John Donofrio became the first Fiscal Officer on June 17, 2002. He managed the auditor, recorder and treasurer divisions of the fiscal office.
During his tenure as county treasurer, John strived to make his office more efficient, effective and responsive to the needs of real estate taxpayers by introducing and implementing new and innovative tax collection programs. He has been a forerunner in the State of Ohio for his development of the Real Estate Tax Assistance Program, the Real Estate Tax Escrow Program, the Delinquent Tax Payment Program, the Donofrio Linked Deposit Program and the Real Estate Discount Program. His accomplishments and these national award-winning programs are second to none.
John worked with other county and state officials to get House Bill 371 passed in 1997; the law allows county treasurers to sell tax certificates on delinquent properties to private parties by public auction. Summit County was the first to offer a tax certificate lien sale where the full amount of delinquent taxes owed are collected. His first sale took place in October 1998; he collected over $80 million in delinquent taxes while he was in office. The program is still in place.
A recipient of six awards from the National Association of Counties, a former President of the Ohio Treasurer’s Association and the former State Director for the National Association of Treasurers and Finance Officers, John knows how to handle leadership roles. He has been a leader in making changes, which has set the standard in Treasury Management throughout the State of Ohio.
First appointed to the Summit County treasurer’s office in 1979, John won the election for his first term in 1980, continued to be reelected and has dedicated 34 years to serving the citizens of Summit County. He retired as Fiscal Officer on April 30, 2011. John has served as an At-Large Summit County Council member since 2015 and currently serves as Chair of the Finance Committee.
John resides in Akron with his wife Marijean. They have five grown children and eight grandchildren. John served 3½ years in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged.
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