2 running for Ellis County Tax Assessor-Collector

Conservative Republican Richard Rozier has announced he is running to be the elected Ellis County Tax Assessor-Collector in the Republican primary election March 1.

He will face Paul Christenson, also a conservative Republican. Christenson and his wife live in Waxahachie.

County Commissioners appointed Rozier to fill the unexpired term to replace the retiring John Bridges.

An audit of the Ellis County Tax Office resulted in allegations and indictments for longstanding money misappropriation. The audit revealed lax accounting, a lack of staff training and defined processes, a lack of internal controls over money, and a distinct lack of oversight.

Rozier assumed the duties of Ellis County Tax Assessor-Collector on March 23, 2021.

Since then, Rozier said he has worked diligently along with the Commissioner’s Court, the County Auditor, other county offices and the tax office staff to provide the best service possible to the Ellis County taxpayers.

Rozier stated, “Working together, the tax office adopted the following mission statement: ‘To provide a level of integrity and service to the community that  exceeds expectations because Ellis County deserves excellence.’”

The Tax Assessor-Collector Office collects property tax for all the taxing entities in Ellis County: county, cities, school districts and special districts. The tax office does not set appraisal values or tax rates. They simply collect the tax imposed and distribute the funds to the proper entity.

They also register and title all the vehicles in Ellis County: cars, trucks, trailers, and RV’s.  

As Ellis County Tax Assessor-Collector, Rozier said he will continue to emphasize the very important pillars of integrity and service.

Rozier continued, “The public should have a high-level confidence that their hard-earned tax dollars are being handled with the utmost integrity.

“No one wants to have to pay tax, but we all do.

“The handling of that money, making sure every penny goes to the appropriate entity is a solemn responsibility, and should be treated as such.”

Rozier said he will ensure that it is.

A lifelong community volunteer, he serves as chair of The Heights Ellis County Family Resources, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting the victims of family violence.

He is the past chair of the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce, and served as president of Ellis County Emergency Service District #6.

Previously, Rozier served as mayor of the city of DeSoto and on the boards of the North Texas Commission, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition. He was also instrumental in bringing the University of North Texas to Dallas, serving on the chancellor’s advisory committee.

Rozier and his wife Karen have been married 43 years and have one son, Daniel, daughter-in-law Kelly, and three grandchildren; Jeb, Caleb and Hannah who live in Ellis County.

Rozier is the owner of an Ellis County-based public affairs and marketing firm, and chairman of XIT Energy.  Richard is also the co-owner of SWS, a solid waste consulting company.

Christenson, a Certified Public Accountant with a Master of Business Administration degree, stated in a press release he is running for the Ellis County Tax Assessor-Collector because Ellis County citizens want and deserve good government.

Christenson brings more than 25 years of experience in helping private companies, non-profit organizations, schools, and county governments in a leadership role to improve performance as well as to implement information systems and processes to improve services.

During the last 15 years, Christenson has worked with numerous hospitals and health care systems in a leadership role to create and implement solutions to improve health care delivery, create new services, improve information systems, manage finances, and operate efficiently.

Christenson has also helped three county governments to do the same.