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Nathan P. Cope is the Lee County Treasurer.

 

Nathan was first elected to serve the citizens of Lee County in November 2019 and began working in the office January 1, 2020. Mr. Cope is in his first term as Lee County Treasurer. 

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Nathan is the son of Lawrence Cope and Debra Parsons of Jonesville and is a lifelong resident of Lee County. He has been happily married to his wife Chanda since 1995. Together they have two sons – Hunter Cope and Tanner Cope. Nathan is very proud of where and how he was raised. Mr. Cope was raised on a farm in the Flatwoods area where he spent many hours in the hay fields and tobacco patches learning hard work and the true value of a dollar. 

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Nathan has nearly 25 years of public service which began at Wallens Ridge State Prison in 1998. He held all security positions to include, Corrections Officer, Institutional Investigator, Corrections Lieutenant, and Corrections Captain. Then in January of 2016 he became the Chief of Security at Wise Correctional Unit. This is the highest ranking security position in the Department of Corrections.  

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In November of 2015 Mr. Cope was elected to represent and serve the citizens of District #2 on the Board of Supervisors.  Nathan is no stranger to public service or hard work. Mr. Cope served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board during his four year term. One of his proudest accomplishments is that during his time as Board of Supervisor member, he attended over 330 meetings to assist and improve the County. He was selected to serve on boards that involved several different organizations to include:

  • Joint Budget Committee with Lee County Public Schools

  • AppCAA – He was elected Chairman of the Personnel Committee

  • Lenowisco

  • Social Services Policy and Procedure Board

  • EMS Director of Lee County (911,Sheriff’s Office, Fire and Rescue)

  • PSA meetings as BOS representative

  • IDA meetings as BOS representative

 

Nathan has made numerous improvements to the Treasurer’s Office. To include changing of the due date while he was on the BOS to October 31st. Adding a drop box in front of the Courthouse to save on postage and to make the drop off available 24/7. Adding both Powell Valley National Bank and Farmers and Miners Bank as tax ticket drop offs. By updating to a new printer system for the office so that the day to day operations will run quicker and more efficiently. Mr. Cope is the first Treasurer in decades not to hire any part time help during tax season to help save money for the County. Nathan continues to look for better and more efficient ways to better serve the citizens of Lee County. 

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In November of 2022 Mr. Cope completed a three year training program and became certified through the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service as a Master Governmental Treasurer. Regina Marcum and Angie Clark also completed the program to be certified as Master Governmental Deputy Treasurer’s. This is the first time that the Treasurer and any Deputy Treasurer has ever been certified through this program in Lee County History. 

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Mr. Cope got the entire office accredited through the Treasurer’s Association of Virginia in 2022 and 2023. This is also the first time that the Lee County Treasurer’s Office had received office accreditation. Around half of the Treasurer’s Office throughout the State is accredited due to so many requirements to be in compliance. “These offices exemplify the highest standards of excellence and integrity measured by our association,” says Treasurer’s Association President Michael Stephens. The requirements are as follow:

  • The required mandated courses for certification have been taken and exams passed by the Treasurer or staff. 

  • The minimum number of current employees is actively enrolled in the Certified Gov Deputy Treasurer program.

  • The office has developed and implemented written policies consistent with applicable State and Federal Law. 

  • The office collection rate for the 12-month period after the tax due date, is not less than 95% for RE and 90% for PP.

  • The most recent outside audit of the office reported no finding of material financial weakness.

  • All bank statements for a month are reconciled within 60 days of the close of that month.

  • The office will not cash personal checks.

  • The Treasurer has signed and submitted the Treasurer’s Code of Ethics. 

  • The office has a written policy to mail tax bills at least 30 days before the deadline. Bills are never mailed less than 14 days before the deadline. 

  • The office deposits local funds within 48 hours of their arrival, excepting weekends and holidays.

  • The office will respond to all written complaints by citizens within 14 days of their arrival.

  • The office has handout material or internet access available for citizens explaining local taxes, applicable tax rates, methods of payments, etc.

  • The office prepares and delivers a written and or oral report to the Board of Supervisors. 

 

Nathan continues to be active in numerous professional associations to include: the Virginia Association of Local Elected Constitutional Officers (VALECO), the Treasurer’s Association of Virginia (TAV), the Southwest Virginia Clerk-Treasurer’s Association (SWVA), the National Rifle Association (NRA), BAI Treasurer’s User Group, Woodway Ruritan Club, Lee County Farm Bureau, 4-H Mentor, and on the Board of Lee County Recreation Center. 

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Nathan and his staff in the Treasurer’s Office are proud to serve the citizens of Lee County, Virginia. 

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