The City of Williamsport has begun the search for a treasurer following the resignation of Kevin Mackey.

“I think we are starting to get a couple of applicants in,” Council President Adam Yoder said.

Council would do the interviews, select and appoint the treasurer, who would serve out the remainder of Mackey’s term through the end of 2027. That person would have to run again to be reelected to the position, he said.

He sent in a two-week notice to the city on Oct. 6, with an effective resignation date of Oct. 17.

“I just want to thank Kevin for his service,” Councilman Jon Mackey, no relation, said. “I think he’s done a great job,” he said. “I wish he would have let the situation play out but we all have to make our own decisions. I wish him all the best and I look forward to, hopefully, getting some good applicants here so that we can keep things moving.”

Councilman Randy Allison, a veteran on council who isn’t seeking reelection, lauded Mackey for his innovation and creative expertise he brought to the office. Mackey’s predecessor, Nicholas Grimes, now an attorney with McCormick Law, also fundamentally changed the treasurer’s office function by utilizing more effective ways to collect taxes and reduce delinquencies. The treasurer’s office administers the collection of the five locally assessed taxes: city real estate, school real estate, mercantile and business privilege tax, local services tax (LST) and amusement tax.

For property taxes, the treasurer’s office collects city and school taxes via online, in person, or via mail-in methods. By law, taxpayers are responsible for knowing when taxes are due.

Mackey took over the job during at a challenging time in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but still managed during this time to bring in more business privilege and mercantile tax revenue than any other time during the city’s history, reaching the $3 million mark, he recently told council and confirmed in the city budget.

Additionally, Mackey’s efforts included improving collection of delinquent tax accounts.