After 28 years as the treasurer of Loudoun County and more than 30 years in public service, H. Roger Zurn Jr. will step down on December 31, 2023, leaving the office to his successor, Henry Eickelberg.
During its December 5 meeting, the Board of Supervisors paid tribute to Zurn in a resolution (PDF) that highlights a number of accomplishments that helped steer the county to a triple-A bond rating, which helps the county continue to get the best possible interest rates to finance capital projects, saving millions of dollars.
Zurn first came to county government in 1990 as the winner of a special election to fill the Sterling District seat on the Board of Supervisors. He was reelected to the Board in 1991. During his time on the Board, he served as chairman of the Board’s Finance and Internal Operations Committee and established the Zurn Initiative to analyze the costs of growth to the county and the impacts on capital infrastructure. The foundational principles of the Zurn Initiative remain in use today, helping guide fiscally responsible growth.
When the county treasurer decided not to seek reelection in 1995, Zurn considered a run for the office.
“The treasurer at the time announced he was retiring and with my banking background, along with having been chairman of the Finance Committee, I thought those things lent themselves well to the job,” he explained.
Zurn was elected treasurer in 1995, and reelected treasurer six times. For the past 28 years, Zurn has led the Treasurer’s Office, and he stated he is proud of the county’s success during his time, pointing to successes beyond a triple-A bond rating.
“We’ve had clean audits for 28 years and handled over $1 billion without ever incurring a loss of taxpayers’ money, even through three recessions,” Zurn said, when asked about his accomplishments. “Lastly, successfully billing and collecting for incorporated towns, with Loudoun being the only jurisdiction doing this in the entire Commonwealth.”
This tax collection process change, which required a change to state law, was part of an overall effort to centralize the tax system of the county and the towns to improve efficiency, economy and customer service to taxpayers.
Other firsts for Loudoun taxpayers during Zurn’s time in office included the ability to receive electronic bills for real estate and personal property taxes as well as being able to pay taxes online.
“I wanted to do a good job and make Loudoun a better place, but I didn’t do that by myself,” he said, crediting his staff during a ceremony at the Board meeting. “They’re the ones that make me look good.”
Henry Eickelberg, who was elected in November 2023, will succeed Zurn on January 1, 2024. More information about the Treasurer’s Office is posted on the county’s website at loudoun.gov/treasurer.
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