Thus far there have been nine residents pick up qualifying papers for the Assessor of Property election next year.  Incumbent David Simcox announced he was not running for reelection.

The nine who have picked up papers include; Janice Easterly, Chad Garrett, Tom Howard, James Mattox, Linda Watson Miller, Heath Scarbrough, Don Strong, Ryan Wison and Cam Wyatt.  Of those only Wyatt, Scargrough, Miller and Howard have returned the papers with qualifying signatures.  All are running as Republicans.  The Primary election is next March with the General election in August.  The poistion pays $87,705 per year with county benifits. There are no qualifications to run for the office other than residency.  The deadline for returning qualifying papers is December 12th to the Election Commission.

The local assessor is charged with a broad range of activities that include the following:
1. Initial mapping and collection of data (size, construction, features of improvements)
on property improvements and of the property itself (location, service by road, water
and sewer availability, etc).
2. Classification of all property in his/her locality as residential, farm, commercial and
industrial, public utility, or business property.
3. Verification of certain information on real estate sales with buyer or seller.
4. Updating of physical information on property, as it becomes known through on-site
inspections during reappraisals, building permits information, and subdivision of property as reported by the Recorder’s office.
5. Conducting periodic reappraisals of property under schedule established by the Division of Property Assessments (DPA).
6. Responding to requests for public information