b'morewithcommunitiestopreventcrime,recalls Brawley. He won the Democratic Primary for Sheriff butlostintheGeneralElection.Hadhewonthat election in 1988, he would have been the first elected AfricanAmericanbackthen.Fastforward18years andBrawleywouldonceagainmountacountywide campaignforAuditor,thistimewinningdecisively both the Democratic Primary Election and a historic winintheGeneralElectionwith98percentofthe vote. When asked if being a black man in politics in the south is difficult, Brawley replied, Being a black man in America is difficult, period. In politics, youre constantlyinthepubliceye.Thatmeansanything youdowillfirstbeconstruedassomethingwrong, while others who do the same, are viewed as training,Brawley takes his first Oath of Office in 2007 administered explainsBrawley.Butdespitethedoublestandard,by Rep. Leon Howard.His wife Wendy and son, Paul BrawleysayshereluctantlyunderstandsthatevenBrawley Jr. also pictured.in 2023, black men are expected to get it right, every single time, no exceptions.calculatingthemillageratenecessarytomeetthe WHAT THE AUDITOR DOES countysbudget.Theofficeimplementsanystate TheAuditorspositionwasamysterytomostandcountytaxcreditsontaxbills,andrecommends taxpayers,andBrawleysaysitwashismissiontothemillageratetocountycouncil.Calculating changethatandacquaintcitizenswithwhatthethemillagehasavarietyofvariablesthatcould AuditorsOfficedoesandhowtheofficecouldbeultimatelyaffectthetaxbillataxpayerreceivesfrom ofservicetothem.TheAuditorisresponsibleforthe Auditors Office. According to Brawley, Richland Countyproducesmorethan600,000taxbillsayear forpersonalandrealproperty.Taxratesforboats, airplanesandmanufacturersarealsocalculatedand billed by the Auditors Office. Brawleysayshesfortunatetohaveadedicatedstaff that understands the importance of customer service. Hetakesprideinthechangeshehasimplemented since becoming the Auditor. He automated the office to provide more services online so that folks are not forced to take time away from their jobs, standing in alonglinetosettleataxbill. Ihaveabackground in technology and business and wanted to make sure wewereusingtechnologyadvancesintheAuditors Office,saysBrawley.Thoseautomationsprovedto beofgreatbenefitwhenthepandemichitin2020 andeverythingmovedonlineforawhile. Wewere readyintheAuditorsOfficeandmystaffwasable to make the transition seamlessly, says Brawley.His commitment to customer service extends beyond office hoursasyouwilloftenfindhimattendingevening communitymeetingsacrossthecountysharing information with taxpayers about the tax exemptions availabletothemthatcouldlowertheirtaxbill. Continued on page 23 IMARA17'