As voters in Josephine County begin to evaluate candidates for Treasurer, a position responsible for overseeing and safeguarding millions in public funds, incumbent Dustin Calvo is seeking re-election while pointing to his direct, hands-on experience in managing county finances. The Treasurer’s Office plays a critical role in investment oversight, compliance with Oregon law, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are protected through sound financial practices.
In an effort to provide voters with clear, consistent information, the Grants Pass Tribune submitted the same set of questions to all declared candidates for County Treasurer. As of publication, Calvo was the only candidate to respond.
Below is a full question-and-answer interview outlining his qualifications, approach to financial management, and views on transparency, accountability, and public trust.
Professional Competence
The Josephine County Treasurer is responsible for safeguarding and managing millions of dollars in public funds. What direct experience do you have in public finance, investment management, accounting, or treasury operations that demonstrates you are qualified to manage taxpayer money?
“As the current Josephine County Treasurer, I have direct, hands-on experience managing taxpayer funds. I oversee the full lifecycle of treasury transactions, including recording all activity from county bank and investment accounts. I am solely responsible for evaluating investment offerings, selecting appropriate instruments, and coordinating with our brokerage and safekeeping partners to ensure accurate execution and settlement.
I routinely review safekeeping reports to verify interest accruals and ensure earnings are properly credited. While the Finance Department manages most countywide accounting functions, I work closely with the Finance Director and her staff to ensure all transactions are accurate and properly recorded. As a working Treasurer, I also support staff with customer transactions and assist other departments when questions arise regarding treasury processes or transactions.”
Understanding of Oregon Law
Oregon counties must follow strict financial rules under state statutes and local budget law. What specific Oregon laws or financial regulations govern how a county treasurer may hold, invest, and distribute public funds, and how will you ensure compliance with those laws?
“Oregon statutes provide clear direction for how public funds must be held, invested, and distributed:
ORS 294.035 defines the investment vehicles permitted for public funds and forms the basis of the County’s Investment Policy. As the County’s Investment Officer, I draft, maintain, and administer this policy. Any changes must be reviewed and approved by the State Short Term Fund Board.
ORS 295.002 and ORS 295.008 require that public funds be deposited only in qualified depositories approved by the State Treasurer, and that these institutions collateralize public deposits at levels set by the state.
ORS 311.390 and ORS 311.395 govern the distribution of collected property taxes and related investment interest to the appropriate funds and taxing districts, including required timelines.
Under my leadership, the Treasurer’s Office is compliant with these statutes. Continued compliance is ensured through ongoing review of laws, policies, and internal processes.”
Investment Responsibility
County funds are often invested to generate returns while protecting the principal. What investment strategies would you support, and how would you balance risk, liquidity, and return when managing public funds?
“I support investment strategies that adhere to the County Investment Policy and all applicable state laws. I work with multiple brokerage partners and the Local Government Investment Pool to structure an investment portfolio that balances liquidity, safety, and reasonable return.
Compliance with policy and statute ensures responsible risk management and protects public funds. Investments in impermissible or high-risk instruments, such as equities, precious metals, or futures, would be inappropriate for public funds and place them at high risk.”
Independence From Political Influence
The Treasurer’s Office must remain independent from political pressure. If a commissioner, department head, or political ally attempted to influence financial decisions or investments for political reasons, how would you respond?
“The protection and proper management of public funds are things I take very seriously.
Safeguarding public funds requires independence from political pressure. Financial decisions or investment actions driven by political motives may not reflect the best interests of the county or its citizens and can expose public funds to unnecessary risk.
While I am always willing to listen to input from commissioners, department heads, or community members, the final responsibility rests with me. I base decisions on law, policy, and the financial interests of the county, not on political considerations.”
Detecting Financial Misconduct
If you discovered irregularities suggesting fraud, embezzlement, or misuse of county funds within the Treasurer’s Office or another department, what investigative steps would you take before taking further action?
“If I identified irregularities suggesting fraud, embezzlement, or misuse of funds, I would begin with an initial review of financial records in coordination with the Finance Department to determine whether a credible issue exists. If concerns are substantiated, access for any involved individuals would be immediately restricted and they would be placed on administrative leave.
A full audit of the affected accounts would then be initiated, involving an independent third-party auditing firm. This process should occur promptly to limit financial exposure, preserve evidence, and support potential recovery efforts.”
Reporting Criminal Activity
If credible evidence of criminal activity within county government came to your attention, would you report it to state investigators, law enforcement, or federal authorities? What would your reporting process be?
“Yes, I would report credible evidence of criminal activity. Criminal conduct has no place in county government. My first step would be to notify local law enforcement, followed by determining whether state or federal agencies should also be involved based on the nature of the misconduct.”
Cronyism and Political Favoritism
Josephine County politics has faced accusations of insider influence and cronyism. How would you ensure that hiring decisions, financial contracts, or banking relationships within the Treasurer’s Office are based strictly on merit and law rather than personal or political relationships?
“Hiring decisions in the Treasurer’s Office are based on qualifications and merit. Applications are evaluated objectively, and the most qualified candidates are invited to interview. Interview panels include the Treasurer, treasury staff, and neutral participants such as HR or outside department managers to ensure fairness and eliminate bias. Final selection is based on combined scoring from all panel members.
Financial contracts and banking relationships are governed by county administrative policies and state law. Adhering strictly to these requirements ensures transparency, fairness, and protection against favoritism or undue influence.”
Transparency With the Public
Many citizens feel that financial decisions in government happen behind closed doors. What specific measures would you take to ensure that county financial records, reports, and investment decisions remain transparent and accessible to the public?
“I fully support and comply with Oregon’s public records laws. Whenever possible, I proactively publish information on the Treasury and Tax webpage so citizens can access financial data without submitting a formal request. I am currently reviewing opportunities to expand the amount of information available online to further increase transparency. Government exists to serve the public, and the public deserves access to financial information to the fullest extent allowed by law.”
Ethical Accountability
If a close political ally, campaign supporter, or fellow elected official became the subject of a financial misconduct investigation involving county funds, would you treat that situation differently? Why or why not?
“I would not treat an investigation differently based on personal or political relationships. In my prior career, I conducted an internal investigation involving a colleague I considered a friend. I set aside personal feelings and evaluated the facts objectively. The same principle applies in county government: all individuals are entitled to the presumption of innocence, and all investigations must be impartial, consistent, and grounded in evidence.”
Internal Oversight and Auditing
What internal auditing systems, financial checks, or third-party reviews would you implement to detect potential corruption or financial mismanagement before it becomes a public scandal?
“The county maintains strong internal checks and balances between the Finance Department and the Treasurer’s Office. Within Treasury, funds are handled under dual control or secondary review to prevent errors or misconduct. Additionally, an external auditor conducts semi-annual reviews to ensure internal controls are functioning effectively. These layers of oversight help detect issues early and protect public funds.”
Personal Integrity Under Pressure
If exposing corruption within county government placed your political career or relationships at risk, would you still pursue it? What obligation does a County Treasurer have to the public when confronted with wrongdoing inside government?
“Doing what is right cannot depend on personal or political consequences. Integrity is fundamental to public service. If confronted with corruption, the County Treasurer has an obligation to act decisively, report wrongdoing, and protect the public interest, even if doing so risks political relationships or career impacts. The public must be able to trust that their Treasurer will uphold the law and safeguard taxpayer funds under all circumstances.”
As the Treasurer’s race continues to take shape, voter attention is likely to focus not only on experience and policy positions, but also on responsiveness and willingness to engage with the public. With only one candidate having provided direct answers to these questions so far, the broader comparison voters often rely on remains incomplete, at least for now.