The Assessor’s office needs new leadership.
I have the experience to make the tough decisions, to be fair and to operate with the highest integrity. I am a Certified Public Accountant that has conducted audits of public entities, as well as, government programs. I have been an officer and tax manager of a national real estate developer and management company. I have appealed property assessments in various jurisdictions. I am a Vietnam era veteran. I was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. I have the toughness and management skills to head a department undergoing budget cuts.
King County house prices are back to the 2005 levels. The assessments are not. The King County Department of Assessments is dealing with over 13,000 plus appeals. Recently, we read about the Vashon Island homeowner whose property assessment increased by 130%. This homeowner went through a great deal of effort and time to appeal this unjust assessment. It has been over 2 months since she won her appeal. She is still waiting for the Assessor’s office to refund the overpayment. The spokesman for the Assessor’s office is now making up excuses for the delay. The spokesman declares that something has to change. He has only 2 people to handle the 13,000+ appeals. Decisions need to be made.
Current and future budget cuts will require the Assessor to re-allocate resources. I will return to reassessing property every two years like many other counties due, saving both manpower and postage expense. My experience working as a CPA auditor will enable me to assess the problems and take corrective actions.
It is clear that government will be required to operate with less revenue. Taxpayers are
hurting. The answer is not new taxes. The Assessor’s office will need to develop a plan that will allow the department to operate more efficiently and at a lower cost.
I offer King County Voters the opportunity to elect someone who has operated his own business and knows when times are tough you have to make adjustments to the way you operate.
Best Regards.
Bob Blanchard CPA
