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NORFOLK COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE-Sharon McDonald

Sharon McDonald, a native of Hatboro, Penn., was first elected to the post of Norfolk Commissioner of Revenue in 1997 – becoming the first woman to be elected to a constitutional office in the history of the city. She is currently serving her fourth term. Sharon arrived in the Norfolk area in 1980 when her husband David, a national class distance runner, decided to enter the annual Shamrock Marathon in Virginia. David not only entered the race but he won the event in a record time. Dave and Sharon enjoyed their stay in the area so much that they decided to move to Norfolk to earn their MBA’s at Old Dominion University. Since becoming the Commissioner of Revenue, Sharon has served as the president of the statewide organization of Commissioners of Revenue (2007 – 2008) and is the former chair of the organization’s Career Development Committee. In 2006, the association honored Sharon with the prestigious Sam T. Barfield Award for Excellence in recognition of her many contributions to the organization. Barfield, a long political leader in Norfolk, was McDonald’s predecessor. Prior to moving to Norfolk, Sharon earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to her Masters of Business Administration from Old Dominion, Sharon also earned a Masters of Commissioners of the Revenue. Sharon and David reside in Norfolk and have two daughters: Marlee, a junior at Boston University and Madison, a first year student at the University of Virginia.

HISTORY OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS

Locally elected constitutional officers, including the Commissioner of Revenue, were first established by the Virginia Constitution of 1976. The current five-locally elected constitutional officers date to the Constitution of 1902. As mandated by state law, the Commissioner of Revenue is the chief tax assessor in the community in which he or she serves.

The Commissioner of Revenue assesses: All Business and Personal Property Issues Business Licenses Processes State Income Tax Returns Assesses All Local Fiduciary Administers Food, Beverage, Lodging, Room Admission and Cigarette Taxes Administers Personal Property Tax Relief Compliance Program Administers Senior Citizen Tax Relief Program Administers Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Program Provider of DMV Select Services Administrator of Residential Parking and Yard Sale Permits Provider of State Income Tax Assistance Commissioner McDonald also serves as the chief tax advisor to the City Council, City Manager and all City Departments. She also advises the City Council and City Manager on tax-related legislation introduced in the Virginia General Assembly. Norfolk’s Commissioner of Revenue is responsible for identifying and collecting 25 percent of the city’s general fund. The general fund consists of the money that City Council uses to pay for public safety, public school education, libraries, recreation centers and a myriad of other essential city services and programs.