Clermont County Auditor
Biography:
John Becker has been a Union Township Trustee since 2022 and is now a Republican candidate for Clermont County Auditor. He previously served as a State Representative from 2013 to 2020.
Why are you seeking this office, and what motivates you to serve at this time?
I am seeking the office of Clermont County Auditor because I am deeply committed to public service. I believe my unique skillset makes me the ideal person to ensure fiscal responsibility, transparency, and fairness for our taxpayers.
I have been very fulfilled serving as a Union Township Trustee. There I have helped manage local budgets and community priorities. However, the County Auditor role aligns even more closely with my professional expertise and passion for sound financial stewardship. My background includes:
- Working as a tax accountant with an MBA from Xavier University (emphasis in Taxation) and Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation.
- Holding a School District Treasurer License (previously expiring in 2023, but demonstrating relevant expertise).
- Over 30 years in private-sector accounting, budgeting, forecasting, planning, reporting, analysis, and staff management, including multiple roles with direct supervisory responsibilities.
- Serving as a State Representative (2013 to 2020), where I advocated for fiscal policies benefiting Clermont County.
- Current service as a Union Township Trustee since 2022.
- Long-standing involvement in Republican leadership, including the Clermont County Republican Party since 1993 and a prior role with the Ohio Republican Party on their governing body.
What motivates me to serve in this capacity now is Clermont County's continued growth and the need for strong, experienced leadership in the Auditor's office. With rising property values, evolving tax policies, and the importance of transparent budgeting amid economic pressures, I want to apply my proven track record to protect taxpayers, ensure equitable assessments, promote efficient county operations, and build on the solid foundation already in place. All of this while maintaining the conservative fiscal principles our community values.
What professional or personal experiences best prepare you to understand the needs of small businesses and employers in Clermont County?
As a State Representative from 2013 to 2020, I worked closely with small businesses and employers in Clermont County. I connected them to the right offices in Columbus or Batavia. Sometimes I just showed up at their door to listen. I handled it all.
In my current role as a Union Township Trustee, much of the work is similar. I serve as a resource. I connect businesses and employers to the help they need.
I also own Becker Tax Services, a small Clermont County business. This gives me direct experience with small business concerns. I understand issues like taxes, regulations, workforce needs, and economic pressures.
It has always been important to me to be the taxpayer’s advocate. Businesses are taxpayers.
I’m also an advocate for a clean community. I will continue to pick up roadside trash.
Collectively, these experiences are a force multiplier, and they have prepared me well. I know how to support local employers, and I can help them thrive in Clermont County.
What are your top three policy priorities if elected, and what impact do you expect those policies to have on our region?
Here are my top three policy priorities if elected County Auditor, along with the expected impact on Clermont County:
- Ensure fair and accurate property valuations, with special attention to potentially undervalued high-end commercial properties.
Generally speaking, voted tax levies aim to raise a fixed amount of revenue. When all properties are valued correctly, everyone pays their fair share. If major commercial properties are undervalued, residential and small business owners end up paying more to cover the gap. I will use data-driven analysis to identify and correct these potential issues.
Impact: This promotes tax fairness. It could reduce the burden on homeowners and small businesses. It supports economic growth by encouraging investment in commercial properties without shifting costs unfairly.
- Conduct a full review of the Auditor’s office policies and procedures.
This means auditing our own operations for efficiency, accuracy, and best practices.
Impact: It improves internal operations. It builds greater public trust. It ensures the office runs effectively to serve taxpayers and businesses better.
- Produce short YouTube videos, posted on the Auditor’s website, to explain the Auditor’s role and answer common questions.
These will cover topics like valuations, tax bills, appeals, and recent changes in state law.
Impact: It increases transparency. It helps residents and businesses understand their taxes. It reduces confusion and complaints, fostering a more informed community.
On a related note, I believe in reaching people where they are. That is why I maintain a strong social media presence, and many constituents prefer reaching out to me through that medium.
What do you see as the most significant economic challenges facing Clermont County over the next four years, and how should government respond?
The most significant economic challenge facing Clermont County over the next four years is housing availability and cost. If our population continues to grow faster than the housing stock, housing affordability will worsen.
Government can respond by working with developers to extend infrastructure to currently rural areas. Economic development tools such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF) could be utilized. This will open up undeveloped parts of Clermont County for economic development.
Growth must be balanced with infrastructure improvements.
How will you engage with the business community to ensure that taxes, fees, regulatory structures, and public services support long-term economic growth?
The Clermont County Auditor does not set tax rates or regulations, but the office plays an important role in maintaining a fair and predictable property tax system. I will engage with the business community by maintaining open communication with organizations such as the Clermont Chamber of Commerce and by being accessible to business owners with questions about property valuation and tax administration.
My priority will be accurate and consistent property valuations so businesses know they are being treated fairly. I also support making property and tax data easy to access, helping business owners, investors, and developers make informed decisions that support long-term economic growth in Clermont County.
Public trust and collaboration are essential in governing. How would you work with colleagues — including those with differing viewpoints — to advance meaningful policy solutions?
During my eight years as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, I developed a reputation for working productively with colleagues who held very different views. While we did not always agree, we focused on areas where common ground existed and worked together to move practical solutions forward.
In my current role as a Union Township Trustee, I am frequently outvoted by my two colleagues. It’s never personal, and we maintain a professional working relationship. As Ronald Reagan once joked about his opponent in a debate, sometimes I’m tempted to say the issue is "youth and inexperience."
As Clermont County Auditor, I will bring that same approach to the office. I value open discussion and thoughtful input from others. My goal is to maintain an Auditor’s office that is professional, responsive, and focused on practical solutions that serve the people and businesses of Clermont County.
How will you ensure transparency, fairness, and accuracy in property valuation and tax administration?
As Clermont County Auditor, I will work to ensure that property valuations are accurate, predictable, and based on objective market data.
I believe taxpayers should be able to clearly understand how their property value was determined, and the Auditor’s office should make valuation data and methodology readily accessible. Just as important, the office must be responsive when property owners have questions or concerns.
My strong social media presence, along with my plan to produce educational YouTube videos, will help eliminate or clarify processes that are currently unclear or mysterious to the public.
Transparent processes and consistent valuations help ensure that all taxpayers are treated fairly and that the public has confidence in the property tax system.
What steps would you take to improve communication between the Auditor’s Office and businesses regarding property assessments and tax processes?
As a full-time Auditor, I will be in the office daily to support the staff and meet with business owners and members of the public.
I’ll prioritize clear, timely, and accessible communication with businesses about property assessments and tax processes. This includes easy-to-navigate online tools, plain-language guides, and proactive notifications when valuation changes occur.
Furthermore, I would implement email updates to keep commercial property owners informed about valuation schedules, deadlines, and other relevant property tax information.
All of this complements the educational YouTube videos and social media outreach I mentioned earlier.
How can the Auditor’s Office use data and technology to improve efficiency and public trust?
As Auditor, I will continue the policy of implementing cutting-edge technology to enhance value for taxpayers.
The Auditor’s Office can leverage technology to make operations more efficient and transparent. Maintaining up-to-date online property records and valuation data allows businesses and residents to quickly access information, reducing calls and in-person visits.
I would explore using artificial intelligence and other digital tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness across all aspects of the Auditor’s Office, including property valuations, weights and measures, accounting functions, and related administrative processes.
By streamlining workflows and sharing information digitally, the office can improve accuracy, reduce delays, and ensure the public has confidence that property taxes and other functions are administered fairly, efficiently, and transparently. These tools will also help ensure outcomes are consistent, predictable, and equitable for all residents and businesses.
Finally, I will leverage my local and state government experience to influence legislation in Columbus for the benefit of Clermont County. As a former State Representative, I have unique insight into how legislation is crafted and know who the key policymakers are.