HomeMy WebLinkAbout120213_ra02Regular Agenda -11:00 a.m.
Commissioners chambers
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMIS'.
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of county commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Leslie Locke, Deputy Clerk of the Board
DATE: December 2,2013
SUBJECT: Interviews and Possible Appointment to Serve as Jefferson County
Assessor
On September 3, 2013 Assessor lack Westerman, III attended the Board of County Commissioner meeting
where he amounced his resignation effective December 31, 2013. Mr. Wesmman was elected to his once as
a Democrat and because he is resigning prior to the and of his present term of office, State law assigns
responsibility m fire Jefferson County Democratic Party to submit a list of three (3) persons to the Board of
Commissioners for their consideration to fill the vacancy mil the next Geneal Election is held and certified
in 2014.
ANALYSIS:
On October 22, 2013 County Administrator Philip Modes sent a letter to the Democratic Party requesting they
submit a list of drove (3) games. The names were submitted by the Democratic Party, on T ovember 19, 2013,
along with materials that were submitted to the Democats by two candidates.
Interviews are scheduled as follows:
11:00a.m. GaryFelder
IIOAam. JeffChapman
11:40 a.m. Judy Maves -Klan
The letter and supporting documentation submitted by the Jefferson County Democrats are attached. Upon
appointment by the Board of County Commissioners, the appointed Assessor would save until the 2014
General Election is certified on November 25, 2014, when an elected Assessor would serve through the end
of that year begin a regula 4 -year hem in 2015. The appointed Assessor would be free to inn as
candidate in the 2014 election cycle, if they wish.
RECOMMENDATION
Cm et interviews, deliberate and take possible action to appoint Jefferson County Assessor
It EwE 1117,7113
Philip Morley, County Administrator Date
Jefferson County Democrats
PO Box 85
Port Townsend WA 98368
November 20, 2013
Jefferson Count Board of County Commissioners
1820 Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 1220Port Townsend,
WA 98368
Commissioners John Austin, Phil Johnson, and David Sullivan,
On Tuesday, November 19, 2013 the Precinct Committee Officers of the Jefferson County
Democrats met at the Port Townsend Community Center for the purpose of interviewing
and recommending three candidates to be forwarded to the Board of County
Commissionaires for the office of Jefferson County Assessor. After interviewing the
candidates, the Precinct Committee Officers recommended, in no ranking order, the
following candidates: Judy Maves - Klatt, Jeff Chapman, and Gary Felder.
The interviews were filmed and will be submitted to you for your study within the next
couple of days. We look forward to your deliberations and action as soon as practical.
Attached are the letters of intent and resumes and an Assessor job description from the
Washington Association of Counties and Cities.
Respectfully submitted,
it
George B. Yount, Chairman
CC Bill Miller, PCO Chair
John Hamilton, Secretary
Information Provided By: Washington Association of County Officials
The County Assessor
The difficult task of placing an equitable valuation on all real property and taxable
personal property is performed by the county assessor. Washington State is
experiencing an erratic market. While some areas continue to grow,
others show no growth or a decline in property values, making the assessor's job
even more demanding.
The assessor's primary duty is determining the value of all real property and
taxable personal property for the purpose of equitable distribution of tax liabilities
to the taxpayers in the various districts.
The amount of taxes to be paid (the amount of levy required), is determined by
the various taxing districts such as the State of Washington, county and city
legislative authorities, fire districts, school districts and other "junior'
districts, as well as the voting public in its consideration of special levies.
The value and levy required are used to calculate the amount due from each
taxpayer according to their proportionate share of the total moneys necessary to
provide the numerous governmental services.
Before 1983; state law required the assessor to reappraise real property as least
every four years. Now, counties with adequate resources may expedite
responses to market fluctuations by performing reappraisals on an annual
basis with a physical inspection on a less frequent six -year basis. Any taxpayer
who disagrees with the value determined by the assessor has the right to appeal
the value to the county board of equalization.
BUILDING APPRAISALS
There are three approaches used to determine the valuation of a building or
other improvements to property: the "cost approach," the "market approach," and
the "income approach." To utilize each approach, complete data must be
obtained on the property being appraised. Such information would include:
Outside measurements
Type of construction
Age
Condition
Location /zoning
Plumbing
Heating
Income and expenses of property
Any other information which may influence the value
The income approach, or capitalization of net income, is most commonly used in
valuation of commercial properties. In the market approach, properties which are
comparable and have recently sold are used to establish value. The cost
approach, which can be used to supplement the market approach, uses
identifiable material and labor costs plus depreciation when appropriate.
LAND APPRAISALS
Land valuation is determined after a survey of the prices paid for similar land,
thus establishing a "market value" as set by buyers and sellers of property. The
"market" is not determined after viewing one or two isolated sales, but by
thorough examination of an adequate number of transactions. In the appraisal of
farm land, careful examination must be given to production records, soil
characteristics and other elements that affect income from the land and tend to
fix the market value. In older urban neighborhoods, the land residual method may
be used.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Personal property valuations are determined after reviewing returns submitted by
taxpayers and the examination of the owner's accounting records. Equipment
valuation schedules, depreciation tables and other guides have been jointly
prepared by the Washington State Department of Revenue and county
assessors in an effort to obtain greater uniformity.
EXEMPTIONS
January 1 is the date that property value is listed in Washington. State law
exempts from property tax the following: intangible personal property (stocks,
bonds and bank accounts); government -owned property; church
property; veterans and relief property; certain music, art and dance halls;
humane societies; certain day care centers; dialysis outpatient facilities; and
household goods. In addition, tax exemptions may be available for
destroyed property, historic property and home improvements. Senior or disabled
persons, upon application, may obtain exemption from a portion of their
property tax.
RECORDS AND ADMINISTRATION
In addition to the tens and even hundreds of thousands of appraisal records
maintained on properties in some
counties, the assessor is required to keep numerous other records. A detailed
series of maps showing all
properties within the county must be maintained, and a set of aerial survey
photos is also a vital part of the mapping system in most counties. Each time a
parcel of property is sold or divided, or a new plat filed, the transaction is shown
in the assessor's records. The assessment roll of the county, maintained by the
assessor, lists:
Taxpayer
Legal description
Tax code area
Location
Assessed valuation for all property within the county
Appraisers within the assessor's office may specialize in a certain type of real
and personal property appraisal. Some appraisers are therefore assigned to
residential properties, some to commercial, and others to land, timber of personal
property. Statewide appraisal schools and International Association of Assessing
Officers' (IAAO) courses to train field personnel have been sponsored by the
Washington State Association of County Assessors and the Department of
Revenue as an aid in obtaining greater uniformity of valuation methods.
Appraisers must be accredited by passing an examination required by state law.
Fifteen hours of continuing education must also be completed every two years.
Judith L. Maves -Klatt
130 Fairbreeze Drive
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Phone: (360)379 -3339
Email: Judy(? MKAppraisalS ervice. com
November 3, 2013
George Yount and Precinct Committee Officers
Jefferson County Democrats
Dear George and Precinct Committee Officers:
I am writing to express my interest in the Jefferson County Assessor position. As you
can see from my resume, I have run my own business as a real estate appraiser for the last
eleven years, ten of those here in Jefferson County. Prior to becoming an appraiser, I was
an attorney in Wisconsin for nine years. In my years as an appraiser, I have acquired an
extensive knowledge of the real estate market in Jefferson County. And as an attorney, I
gained experience reading and interpreting statutes, ordinances and legal documents. I
also managed staff as an attorney. I am accustomed to attending to details and I have
excellent organizational and people skills.
I have attached my resume for your review. If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact me at the address, email address or phone number above. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Judith L. Maves -Klatt
JUDITH L. MAVES -KLATT
130 Fairbreeze Drive
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360)379 -3339
EDUCATION
University of California, Davis
J.D. conferred December 1992
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
B.S., Cum Laude in Criminal Justice
WORK EXPERIENCE
Certified Residential Appraiser, 2002 to Present.
MK APPRAISAL, Sturgeon Bay, WI and then Port Townsend, WA. Business
provides real estate appraisals for single family residential properties, manufactured
homes, condominiums, small residential income properties and vacant land.
Provides billing, bookkeeping and tax preparation for the business.
Attorney, 1993 to 2002.
LAW OFFICE OF JUDITH L. MAVES- KLATT, Holmen, WL General practice
firm. Caseload included estate planning, family law, criminal, guardian ad litem
appointments for guardianships and protective placements, mental and alcohol
commitments, criminal appeals, civil appeals and juvenile delinquencies. Provided
billing, bookkeeping and tax preparation for the office.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Member of the Foundation of Real Estate Appraisers
Member of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers
Member of Washington Realtors
State Bar of Wisconsin 1993 to present.
Western Wisconsin Legal Services Board of Directors, 1996 to 2000.
La Crosse County Bar Association, 1993 to 2002.
Jefferson County Democrats
PO Box 85
Pbrt Townsend, WA 98368
October 2, 2013
TO: Jefferson County Democrats
RE Pbsition of Jefferson County Assessor
I respectfully request that the Jefferson County Democrats submit my name to the Board of County
Commissioners asone of three people recommended to fulfill the unexpired term of Jade Westerman
III when he retires from the office of Jefferson County Assessor. I make this request with the full
realization that thiswill also mean running for election in 2014 as a Democrat, a challenge and duty I
would be honored to accept. I feel I have a great deal to bring to this position resulting from my
assessment, technical, and civic experience. These qualitieswill be essential for the smooth and
successful transition to full implementation of the computerized massappraisal system recently
acquired and employed by Jefferson County.
I have been a resident in Jefferson County since 1978, and a residential landowner since 1985. That
same year I was hired by Jack Westerman asa cartographer based on my technical engineering
background. In short order, I became an IAAO certified mass appraiser, and rose through the ranks to
take on senior appraiser duties, which included Board of Equalization and Mate Board of Tax Appeal
cases. I was promoted to Chief Deputy, which meant working with staff managing the various
exemption, current use, and timber classification programs. In addition I oversaw the implementation
of a county GISsystem to handle zoning, parcel mapping, and critical area ordnance maps. In order to
consolidate management, these dutieswere combined into an Assessment Operations Manager
position with operational responsibilities over the office, and I served the county in that capacity for
the remainder of my time in the office. Many elements of the computer assessment /appraisal system
and mapping system employed up to now in Jefferson County were developed in part with my design
assistance and leadership.
In 1999, 1 left the Assessor's Office to work for private industry in the ut i I i t i es sect o r. Alaska Fbwer and
Telephone's corporate office is in Glen Cove, Port Townsend, and we manage our extensive computer,
meter, fiber, hydro, and facilities network remotely from Pbrt Townsend. I remain employed with that
firm today in the ITdepartment, which provides technical, mapping, and computer support for our
plant infrastructure in communities throughout Alaska. Asa systems analyst, I provide technical design
support for software programming, database design, and analytical reporting.
Most of my volunteer community work has been devoted to two civic organizations. The Seattle based
Washington Trails Association (WTA) isthe largest hiking group in Washington, if not the United Mates.
I am aboard member of WTA and one of the members on their advocacy team. I am also the
Advocacy Director for the Back Country Horsemen of Washington, a more conservative service based
non - profit organization based in Blensburg that commits volunteerism to support the government
agencies that manage our public lands.
As a result of my leadership roles in these two organizations, I have been travelling to Washington DC
for many years now to discuss public lands policy with our state's congressional delegation and staff.
This unusual mix of representing both liberal and conservative organizations on similar issues earned
me a role on Governor Gregoire's committee for addressing national recreation issues when she
chaired the Western Governors' Association. At the state level, I am very familiar with the legislative
and rule making processes in Olympia. I work with lobbyists and legislators on awide assortment of
issues, from grant funding to large basin management such as the Yakima Basin Plan, one of Governor
Inslee's signature projects.
I believe I have the administrative and technical kill set needed to lead the County Assessor's office
into a future that embraces integrated digital mass appraisal, cadastral, and advanced parcel records
systems, having spent 14 years performing most of the operational management duties in that very
office aswell as having a considerable range of experience in software development, analytics, and
application delivery while working for atelecom and energy utilities corporation based in Pbrt
Townsend. I havefull familiaritywith political challenges whether it istestifying in Olympia,
participating in political campaigns, or modernizing a county department. I have always honored
public service, have a proven record of successfully addressing technical challenges and working
respectfully with diverse individuals, and I look forward now to returning to a leadership role in our
county government.
Thank you for your consideration of my request.
.Jeff Chapman,
640 Cape George Fbad
Pbrt Townsend, WA 98368
360- 385 -6364 360- 301 -9156 (cell)
bbbranch@olympus.net
JEFF CHAPMAN
640 Cape George Road
Port Townsend, Washington 98368
360- 385 -6364
Email: bbbranch @olympus.net
EDUCATI ON
Peninsula College, Port Angeles 1983 & 1984
Course Series: Surveying Practice, Drafting, Physics, Computer Science, Technical Writing
Degrees: Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, Engineering Technician Certificate
Evergreen State College, Olympia 1971 -1972
Course Series: Outdoor Education
Columbia University, New York City: 1969 - 1971
Course Series: Undergraduate Studies (English, Calculus, Chemistry, etc.)
Trade Courses
County: Management and administrative workshops, retreats, team building, defensive
driving, levy and tax administrative D,O.R. workshops, professional surveyors
training seminars, census planning /Tiger mapping, metadata structure planning,
mass appraisal applications. Classes both as a student and as an instructor.
Tech: Extensive Net Framework programming /Visual Studio, database administration
(SQL), SharePoint, ACAD, ESRI, reporting software (Crystal Reports, Reporting
Services), associated software development.
USFS: Leadership and youth crew management, recreation/ reforestation certifications
(chainsaw, crosscut), fire control /initial attack, trail and campground infrastructure
design and construction.
SPECI AL SKI LLS
• Property tax and levy management for the County Assessor.
• CAMA /G.I.S. Administration (Jefferson County).
• Computer software programming / SQL Database administration.
• 20 years working with networked computer systems.
• Board of Directors for different non - profits dealing with public property management.
• 10 years leadership in lands policy advocacy in Olympia and in Washington DC.
• 30 years involvement in real property matters including title and easement research.
• Working history with public and private utilities operations.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Position: Systems Analyst — I nformation Services (7/ 7/ 1999 — current)
Employer: Alaska Power & Telephone
191 Otto Street, P.O. Box 3222, Port Townsend, WA, 98368
Supervisor: Janet Lucas, Information Services Director
Duties: Systems programmer and analyst for Alaska Power & Telephone, which provides
utilities (power, telecom, fiber, hydroelectric) in various communities throughout Alaska. Wrote
Resume of Jeff Chapman
Page 1 of 3
and currently maintain the primary customer tracking and billing software for the company. This
includes toll loading, meter reading, addressing, customer exemptions, reporting (audit reports,
billing cycle reports, billing statements, and other financial reports), and mapping. Develop toll
tracking, meter reading, and specialized inventory utilities. Manage the company's sql dataservers
and databases as well as write /maintain custom sql queries. Provide help desk and troubleshooting
functions to staff in Alaska and in Port Townsend.
Position: Assessments Operations Manaaer (1986 — 5/ 7/ 1999)
1 ntegrated Data Management Systems Manager (1993 — 5/ 7/ 1999)
Cartographer (1984 — 1986)
Employer: Jefferson County, WA
P.O. Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA, 98368
Supervisor: Jack Westerman I II, Jefferson County Assessor
Duties: Manager for assessment operations including the property parcel database and real
property appraisals at the local and state level. Provide materials to the Board of Equalization and
represented the Assessor's Office in hearings. Provided technical assistance to the development
and ongoing maintenance of Jefferson County's electronic computer assisted mass appraisal
system. Performed title research. Developed and published (paper and digital) state reports and
levy abstracts including complex graphs. Worked with the county planners on growth management
matters that affect property (zoning, critical areas, etc.). Oversaw moving the parcel mapping
system from paper to electronic, and then developed the first Geographic Information System
(GIS) for Jefferson County. Worked with consultants on critical area mapping and with surveyors
on plat /survey maps. Performed field inspections of residences. Accredited Mass Appraiser for the
State of Washington. Provided staff leadership as a manager and before that was a Guild
representative for County employees.
Position: Asbuilt Draftsman (1983 — 1984)
Employer: Public Utilities District # 1 of Clallam County
P.O. Box 1090, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Duties: Prepare the asbuilts for underground power installations. Field sketch the cable
layouts in open trenches. Prepare official drawings from these sketches using standard drafting
techniques.
Position: Survey Technician (1 982)
Forest Fire Control Crewleader (1975 -1981) inc.
Young Adult Conservation Corps Work Programs Administrator
Employer: U.S. Forest Service
P.O. Box 280, Quilcene, WA 98376
Duties: Field survey work including corner monumentation and road maintenance
preparation. Managed fire and youth crews engaged in all aspects of US Forest Service operations
including firefighting, trail and campground construction, reforestation /thinning, bridge
construction, and general maintenance. Maintained a chainsaw shop and tool cache.
INTERESTS AND PQ BLI C SERVICE
Leadership in legislative advocacy in Olympia and in Washington DC
Appointed by Governor Gregoire to the Western Governors Association Get Out West
Advisory Group
Resume of Jeff Chapman
Page 2 of 3
Hiking/ Backpacking /Equestrian /Packing /Sailing
Grant management / Public Lands stewardship and infrastructure maintenance
Board of Directors, Washington Trails Association (12,000 members)
Public Lands Chair, Back Country Horsemen of Washington (3,000 members)
REFERENCES
Robert Frank Human Resources Dept., Alaska Power and Telephone
P.O. Box 3222, Port Townsend, WA 360- 385 -1733 (W)
Jack Westerman Jefferson County Assessor
PO Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA 98368 360- 385 -9105 (W)
Karen Daubert Executive Director, Washington Trails Association
705 2nd Ave, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104 206 - 625 -1367 (W)
Robert Gish President, Back Country Horsemen of Washington
P.O. Box 3094, Deer Park, WA 99006 509 - 276 -6226 (H)
Additional References Upon Request
Resume of Jeff Chapman
Page 3 of 3
STxT E OF W. ASf HNGTON
DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL CERTIFIES THAT
JEFFREY SCOTT CHAPMAN
HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AN EXAMINATION GIVEN BY THE
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL PERTAINING TO
AL PROPERTY A
HE HAS FULFILLED THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND AUTHENTI-
CATED BY THE WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY
ASSESSORS AND THE WASHING"T"ON STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
CE LTIFIED IImbel.- 371 .L.P!ate February 9, 1988
Director, Washington Stag
Department of Revenue
SrVXrV t OF W-_ MRINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL
THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL CERTIFIES T FIA T
JEFFREY SCOTT CHAPMAN
HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AN EXAMINATION GIVEN BY THE
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL PERTAINING TO
HE HAS FULFILLED THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND AUTHENTI-
CATED BY THE WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY
ASSESSORS AND THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
CERTIFIED Number 848 Date November 3, 1987
a",
Director, Washington State . ..... )
Department of Personnel
President, )AVashington State Director, Washington State
AUTI ]EN TIGA TED : Association of County Assessors Department of Revenue
DEREK KIlLMER.
6TH DISTRICT, WASHINGTON
IF,
•• `'
WASHINGTON, '
March 7, 2113
Mr. Jeffrey S. Chapman
Back Country Horsemen of Washington-, Washington Trails Association;
Pacific Northwest Trail Assoc.
640 Cape George Road
Port Townsend, WA 98368- 9241
Dear Mr. Chapman
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I know that traveling out
to Wash -irE tor?. D.C. is not easy and I really appreciate your willingness to
come a long way to share your views on the issues that matter to you and
your community. Please let me know how my office and l can partner with
you to address these priorities.
Sincerely,
9
Derek Kilmer
Member of Congress
P.O. Box 297
Chimacum, WA 98325
September 24, 2013
Jefferson County Commissioners
1820 Jefferson Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
loy-MI-M
This letter is being written to request your support for Jeff Chapman pertaining to the
position of County Assessor. It has been my pleasure to have known and worked with
Jeff since March 2001. This is through the Buckhom Chapter of the Back Country
Horsemen of Washington (BC.HW) organization, which is a 5016.
Hello, my name is Gerry Magnuson and I have lived in Jefferson County since August of
1977. My move here was to take a position with the Port Townsend School District as a
Business Education Teacher. I continued in that position for 23 years until my
retirement. In 19801 was commissioned as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff by the then Sheriff,
Lee Smith, and continued in that position for 19 years.
My interests in Horses lead me to the Back Country Horsemen. It was in this
organization that Jeff Chapman became a friend and colleague. It is amazing what Jeff
has accomplished for the RCHW. He is currently the Chairman of Public Lands for
BCHW. He is recognized as an authority on Public Lands throughout the State. At one
time I spoke with our State President and he said regarding Jeff, "I check with Jeff before
I make a lot of my decisions". Jeff has served our State well whether it be here or in
Washington D.C.
As you undoubtedly are aware, Jeff in the past has worked for the Jefferson County
Assessors office and wrote the programs that are in use today. A few years ago he did
tell me that when Jack retires he would be interested in pursuing that position. He is a
person that can walk right into the office and continue with a smooth transition and
maintain the superb standard that Jack Westerman has established over the years.
Please give Jeff your most serious consideration, as it is my position that he will reflect
credit upon the citizens of Jefferson County, the Assessors office, and Himself,
Thank you for your attention to this.
Sincerely
Gerry Magnuson
360-732-4325
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Board of County Commissioners
1820 Jefferson Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
RE: Appointment to Jefferson County Assessor Position
Dear County Commissioners,
Jeff Chapman
640 Cape George Road
Port Townsend, WA 98368
November 24, 2013
My name is Jeff Chapman, and I ask that you appoint me to the position of Jefferson County Assessor, filling in
the remaining term of outgoing Assessor Jack Westerman. I do realize that you have received the information
packet I supplied to the Jefferson County Democratic Party, and it is not my intent to repeat that information.
However, the submitted cover letter for the Democratic Party focused on my political strengths. 1 always
intended to directly address the Board on this should my name be submitted.
I was for 14 years an employee of the Jefferson County Assessor's Office, and for most of that term I was in a
management capacity. I was the Chief Deputy, and with the departure of Chief Appraiser Mark McCready, we
rolled up the Chief Deputy and Chief Appraiser positions into an Assessment Operations Manager position to
oversee the office and to perform regular and unique appraisal needs. I was a fully accredited Real Property
Appraiser with the Department of Revenue ( #400), and I handled hundreds of annual appraisals in addition to
many appeals up through the State Board of Tax Appeals. An example of unique work is that I was responsible
upon the liquidation of the Chicago Milwaukee railroad for reviewing all of the title and property description
issues for the railroad corridor from the Port of Port Townsend to Clallam County, deciding upon the quality of
title for property tax valuation purposes, and valuing the property according to the strength of title using
different appraisal techniques associated with clouded title issues.
I am fully versed in standard appraisal practices with comparative sales, income, and cost approaches to value.
In fact I wrote some of the software appraisal routines used in the Assessor's Office. There is a fundamental
difference between fee (bank /real estate) appraisals and mass appraisals in that county cyclic appraisals other
than new construction are performed based on having accurate digital information upon which factors are
applied, the quality of the data is maintained, statistically accurate modeling is applied, and the results are
evaluated through sampling and Tetio evaluations:- Frankiy, this is theoniy -way thatfour- appraisers- eanvatue -- - --
29,000 parcels, 2% of which includes new construction, in a year.
Currently, all but eight counties are on annual revaluation appraisal cycles. Jefferson County is now joining what
will be all counties on annual revaluation cycles. Most of the counties are using Thomson Reuters, True
Automation, or custom in -house applications to complete their statistical updates. Some 20 are using Thomson
Reuters due to the company acquiring existing in -place systems like Sigma and Terra Scan. Jefferson County is
converting to True Automation, used by counties such as Clallam, Island, San Juan, and several others.
With appraisers performing 7000 appraisals each per year (1/6'h inspected), the accuracy of the appraisals
depends very much on the accuracy of the information. The better the appraisals, the less cost to the county in
is appeals. I am very comfortable working with these kinds of systems, even writing similar functions. Thomson
Reuters is converting to Sql Server from Informix for data servers. I installed, maintain, and perform all ad hoc
queries on 13 Sql Servers in my current job with Alaska Power and Telephone (APT), including report writing and •
data import/export. I wrote and maintain the APT customer (CIS) record system still in use today including
addressing 911, site location issues, and change management. Mass appraisals of the magnitude that Jefferson
County is taking on can be a very big hit on the Jefferson County budget. There is a need to trim these budgets
through using new technology. For example, HB1576, which goes into effect this year, allows County Assessors
to send some notices electronically. In my current job, I wrote the emailing and notice system for mailing utility
bills in order to save on paper processing. While I don't plan to write this for Jefferson County, I certainly can
make sure the True Automation process and decisions are on target.
I think I have proved already in the courthouse that I have the technical capabilities that are needed now in the
Assessor's Office. Many of the outputs from that office today are ones I either developed, as are the levy
reports, or helped develop, such as the CompuTech system.
The Assessor is responsible for more than just appraisals and levy calculations. I am versed in the different
programs managed in the Assessor's Office including cadastral issues (quality of surveys and plats), timber
program management, the open space designations (timber, ag., open space), and the various deferral and
exemption programs. Some of the laws have changed, though surprisingly not as many as I would have thought.
I was part of the operations during the development of the subdivision ordinance, growth management /critical
areas, and zoning, so I have a working history of these changes in local land regulations.
With regards to leadership, 1 am currently on the Board of Directors of the Washington Trails Association, a
group which has double the full time staffing and three times the budget of the Assessor's Office. I was a
manager in the Assessor's Office when I worked there as well as for the US Forest Service before. In my current
position, I understand budgets in more than one dimension including the fact I wrote and maintain the billing .
system and the ad hoc reporting/querying of the general ledger, accounts payable, and payroll systems.
1 feel I have the full range of skills that Jefferson County needs right now to lead the Assessor's Office. I ask that
you appoint me to the position of Jefferson County Assessor.
Thank you,
Jeff Chapman
40
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