By Kent County

Kent County Treasurer Ken Parrish announced last week at the Kent County Board of Commissioners meeting he will not seek re-election for a seventh term in November. His term is set to expire on Dec. 31.

First elected in 1996, Parrish previously served as a Kent County Commissioner (1992-1996) and as a Cascade Township Trustee (1988-1992).

Parrish is especially proud of the following accomplishments that occurred during his tenure as County Treasurer:

• founding the Kent County Land Bank Authority,
• reaching an agreement with Airbnb to collect a five percent lodging and excise tax from online rental property companies, and
• minimizing tax foreclosures.
  
  

Additionally, he was the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Officer Award presented by the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance Officers. Parrish also praised the staff in his office.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents of Kent County over the last 32 years,” Parrish said. “The trust voters have shown me over the years is truly humbling. Kent County will always be my home, and I remain comminuted to serving but in new ways.”

While his future plans remain uncertain, Parrish believes he has at least one more career left to pursue.