Starla Matthews to run for Houston County Probate Judge

Name: Starla Moss Matthews

Age: 48

Occupation: Houston County Revenue Commissioner

Office Sought: Houston County Probate Judge

Primary Election: March 13

Party Affiliation: Republican

Family: Married to attorney and Judge Will Matthews; They have 6 children together: Wesley & Hayden Moss, Matt, Sara Elizabeth, and David Matthews, and Teckie (Matthews) Hinkebein.

Background/Experience: Starla Matthews graduated from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She has four years experience as a retail manager, an additional four years as a school teacher in the Dothan City School System, and five years as the director of the Child Development Center at First Baptist Church of Dothan. As Houston County Revenue Commissioner, Starla has been collecting and distributing annual property taxes of over $39 million. Her management experience has helped make the Revenue Commission Office friendly and efficient. Starla’s administrative and management skills are evident in the way she has managed the Revenue Commission Office. Most notably, there is never a long line in her office.

Most of the responsibilities of the probate judge are managerial, which is why the probate judge needs to be someone with proven administrative and management skills.

Platform: Starla said, “As your probate judge, I will always be accessible and accountable to the citizens of Houston County and be attentive to and serve the different needs of the citizens. I will unite the qualified staff of the probate judge’s office as a team to better serve you in an effective and efficient manner just as I have done in the office as revenue commissioner.

“I will streamline government bureaucracy to take care of you, the taxpayers, with the best customer service possible. I will streamline the tag line by immediately separating renewals and new tags. I will promote and encourage the use of the online option for tag renewals to shorten the tag line. I will strive to offer more ways to make the Probate Judge’s Office more user-friendly for you, the citizens. I will utilize satellite offices more adequately by making citizens aware of their locations and the hours they are open. I will also add more offices if the need arises.

“Most importantly, as Houston County Probate Judge, I will return accountability, accessibility and attention to all areas of the office. I will be a reliable employee who is accessible at all times and realize that my job is to serve you.

“Our forefathers designed the probate court different for a reason. It should always be the People’s Court. That is the primary reason that being a lawyer is not a qualification.

“The Probate Court judicial responsibilities include adoptions, commitments, guardianships and conservatorships, which are problems that need resolving with the finality of the law behind the decision. These are difficult and emotional cases that require a judge who is both empathetic and understanding.

“I have always been public service oriented, have incredible patience, and have proven my ability to research and understand the law as Revenue Commissioner of Houston County. Probate Judge is a unique position that takes someone with varied skills to get the job done, knowing that each person’s situation is different. I know the importance of handling each situation individually.

“In addition to being uniquely qualified, I promise you the citizens that I will live up to the expectations of the Houston County citizens. For the past twelve years as your Revenue Commissioner, I have worked effectively for you by implementing fresh ideas. I will do more of the same as your Probate Judge.”

Political/Civil Organization: Starla Matthews is currently a member of The Alabama Association of Tax Administrators Board of Directors, Dothan Rotary Club (Monday), Houston County Republican Executive Committee, State Republican Executive Committee, Houston County Republican Women Committee, and Alfred Saliba Family Services. She is a past member of The United Way Board and Allocations Committee, Boys and Girls Club Board, Landmark Park Board, Honorary WRC board member, and the Finance Committee of the First United Methodist Church.