Board chooses lawmaker’s chief of staff as new treasurer-tax collector

Lawrence Cohen Photo courtesy of San Diego County A local congressional staffer was chosen as San Diego County s next treasurer-tax collector Tuesday beating out three other finalists Lawrence Cohen who has spent the last five years as chief of staff to Rep Juan Vargas a San Diego Democrat replaces Dan McAllister who left the position on Aug Cohen will finish McAllister s term which expires in January In early October the San Diego County Board of Supervisors picked Cohen David Baker Christian Peacox and Detra Williams as finalists from the candidates who originally vied for the position The board interviewed the four finalists again Tuesday The hopefuls also met with residents during an Oct region forum Baker and Williams both work in the Treasurer-Tax Collector s Office Baker is the chief deputy of tax collection while Williams serves as the special functions manager Peacox is the Carlsbad city treasurer Cohen received votes from Supervisors Paloma Aguirre Monica Montgomery Steppe and Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer Supervisor Jim Desmond voted for Williams Supervisor Joel Anderson didn t participate in the selection process because he is considering running for the position next year The Treasurer-Tax Collector s Office collects over billion in property taxes annually along with taxes from the cannabis business and transient occupancy taxes in unincorporated areas The office also manages the county outlay pool and acts as the paying agent for school districts Cohen stated supervisors that his priorities include being a stronger shareholder voice championing middle-class priorities removing county funds from investments that don t line up with public values and finding techniques to help residents struggling to pay their taxes He noted that during the Oct event people questioned how the office can lead in uncertain times Cohen mentioned the board had a choice between preserving the familiar or leading the region forward We cannot advance together by standing still he added Cohen communicated Lawson-Remer that he intends to run for a full four-year term in The other candidates touted their experience and explained how they craved to lead the office Ultimately the inhabitants can trust that our staff ensures the money is accounted for and gets where it demands to go Baker described supervisors Williams announced she knew the board wants someone in the position who knows what they re doing intends to do something great and has your best interest in mind Vargas offered his encouragement for Cohen during Tuesday s citizens comment period The congressman noted he first met Cohen in as a San Diego City Council candidate After Cohen worked as Vargas chief of staff in city governing body Vargas solicited him to join his congressional group Along with understanding funding Cohen respects diversity commented Vargas who also credited Cohen for his leadership during the COVID- pandemic He s never let me down he s never let the people of my district down Vargas added Cohen s congressional chief advisor job involves supporting Vargas work on the committee which oversees banks pensions and federal securities ordinance according to a county news release His private sector career included managing a million business line for Millipore Sigma a biotechnology company Cohen earned his master s degree in business administration from Strayer University in Washington D C He also holds a bachelor s degree in political science from UC San Diego Following a background check Cohen is tentatively scheduled to be sworn in at the Nov supervisors meeting according to the county McAllister was elected for six terms as treasurer-tax collector