A look back at the accomplishments of the first woman and longest sitting Treasurer in county history
By Andrew Harris
Terri joined Allegany County’s team in 1983 as an entry level typist. That lasted all of two month before she was promoted to Deputy Treasurer, a job she held for 18 years with then Treasurer James Mulhollod.
In 2001 she was elected as County Treasurer and then re-elected a unheard of, six times. During that 42 year career Terri has worked with 81 different legislators, 10 Board Chairs, 5 County Administrators, 6 District Attorney, 7 County Judges, 13 Chief Clerks, 2 Juror Commissioners, 6 Sheriffs, 2 County Clerks, 10 Coroners, 13 Election Commissioners and 109 other non-elected Department Heads, give or take a few.
Let’s just say, in good fun, “She know where the bodies are buried.”
The job of Treasurer isn’t for the faint of heart and despite her gregarious persona, she earned a reputation as strong leader with command of the job, and the role. Like the Sheriff or District Attorney or County Clerk, the job is part public service, part politics. Being the County Treasurer or any of the aforementioned roles is very complicated work and the politics often gets just as complicated. Terri was re-elected six times because she did the work well and balanced the politics even better.
Not only did she play a big role in the Allegany County political world, she has spent plenty of time in Albany serving the county on important state boards. She retires as the Chair of the NYS Association of Counties Taxation and Finance Committee. A member of the NYS County Treasurers & Finance Officers Association, Terri was the 2015 Finance Officer of the Year and served as the group’s President in 2010-2011. Ross has served as the NYS GOP Committee Person for 147th Assembly District and on the state Republican Judicial Nominating Committee. This state-level leadership gave Allegany County countless benefits and contacts within the massive state tax and finance bureacracy.
Focusing on the 2001-2025 tenure as Allegany County Treasurer, Ross oversaw a more than doubling of the county government budget. In 2001 Allegany County had a $14 million dollar annual tax levy, that number for 2025 was $31 million. The notorious Allegany County property tax rate also increased during her 24 years, but only 1.89%, an accomplisment worthy of applause. Working with the county legislature, the tax rate for Allegany County has fallen for the last 14 straight budgets.
If you have ever talked with Terri about the growth of government or the high taxes she makes it very clear: The Treasurer has no control over state mandates or the tax rate. Ross has been blamed for both as the top financial officer in the county ad nauseum.
The reality of being the County Treasurer includes two big jobs: The first is wading through the NY State bureaucracy in order to keep Allegany County in compliance. The other is advising and collaborating with many county department heads and 15 legislators to create a responsible budget. To accomplish that job for six terms of office speaks volumes.
County Chairman W. Brooke Harris, who has been part of the county budget process as a legislator and Chairman had this to say about Terri’s career:
“There isn’t a single person more responsible for Allegany County’s current fiscal strength than Terri Ross. In her 24 years as treasurer, she has shepherded the County through numerous recessions, a burst tech bubble, a housing crisis, and a global pandemic. Through her leadership, we went from a county at risk of borrowing to make payroll to a county that, unlike many counties, is in a position to pay cash for large purchases. This has saved the county millions of dollars over her tenure. She’s also responsible for one of the most successful municipal investment programs in the country, the proceeds of which directly lower property taxes. Over her career, she’s consistently increased and protected the County’s bond rating and wisely maintained our fund balance at responsible levels.
Her knowledge and expertise will be sorely missed. Personally, I will sorely miss seeing my friend at the County Office Building. I wish her the best of luck in retirement, knowing full well that she’ll continue to serve her community in the years to come.“
Ross’s dedication to the job has been on full display as she planned her retirement from the job. Her right hand lady, Jenna Kelley served as the Deputy Treasurer since 2012. Terri made sure she has every tool for success and to become the new Allegany County Treasurer. On the political side, Terri was instrumental in Kelley’s successful election in the Republican Party primary, guiding her to a landslide victory, and then a unchallenged general election. Kelley couldn’t be more appreciative of her former boss and friend:
” I was fortunate to work alongside Terri for 13 years as her Deputy Treasurer and I will always be grateful that she took a chance on me. Over those years, we built a bond rooted in trust, respect, and countless shared lessons. She believed in me, guided me, and helped shape my career. During her remarkable 42.5 years with Allegany County, she served with dedication and integrity but her greatest legacy is the people she served and mentored and the example she set. As she begins her next chapter, I wish her nothing but happiness and exciting new adventures—she will be truly missed.“
In the world of public service, success is measured with results. The job of an elected Treasurer delivers results in black and white: Data and bank account balances. There are no narratives or excuses or alternate facts that many politicians often rely on to put a positive spin on their work. A County Treasurer’s job is defined by the financial position of the county, period. Terri Ross’s record over 24 years is now history, the results are a success story for her and the public she served.
Congratulations on retirement Terri, well done !
