Robert Butler has many political aspirations, but his November 2021 election win as the Polk Township tax collector is posing its first challenge.

“I had a good feeling about this when I ran. My academic background is in computer science, and I have worked in the insurance field,” Butler said Monday after the monthly Polk Township supervisors meeting.

Before he can begin collecting township residents’ taxes, he had to take a tax collection class and pass an exam. That, he said, has been easy.

It’s the third part, which involves getting bonded, that has been difficult.

“Bonding is credit-based,” said Butler. “I had some medical emergencies and personal matters that hurt my credit. I was looking at this elected position as a positive step forward.”

Butler cannot get into his office at the township building until he receives bonding.

“We’re running out of time. Tax bills need to be printed,” said township solicitor James Fareri.

Supervisor Carl Heckman asked Butler if he thought Feb. 1 was a reasonable deadline.

Butler agreed to that date and to submitting his resignation if he cannot get bonded in time.

Supervisors have spoken with their former tax collector, Laura Hoffman, to see if she would be interested in the job if appointed.

She currently is in a joint tax collection district with Eldred Township and Ross Township. There is nothing preventing her from collecting taxes from a third municipality.

“She is willing to be our tax collector,” Chairman Brian Ahner said.

Butler has been a township resident since 2007. He has two school-aged daughters and works part-time for UPS.

He is also currently the chairman of the Polk Township Park and Recreation Committee, treasurer of the Monroe County Garden Association and president of the West End Republican Club.

He ran for Pleasant Valley School Board in 2017 and for Polk Township supervisor in 2016; he lost both elections.