Three-way race set for assessor

Three Republicans seeking their party's nomination for Jay County Assessor bring varying experience to tackle reassessment, property tax caps and ever-changing land values during the next four years.

Diana Stults is the current first deputy assessor in the county office and has served in that capacity for 12 years. Prior to that she worked as a data entry clerk for three years and worked with Appraisal Research for two years for a total of 17 years assessing experience.

Lesa Kirby brings nine years office experience. She started as deputy assessor for the Wayne Township assessor, worked as a part-time sales disclosure deputy for former Jay County assessor Anita Mills for four years before becoming her first deputy for two years, and worked as a contracted field assessor for Mass Assessment Services. She also currently sits on the Wells County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.

Debbie Gaskill worked in assessing at the township level, where she served as Wayne Township assessor for six years until the position was eliminated by changes in state law. She's worked for Jay County Hospital for 15 years and is currently employed in the business office.

All three candidates hold a Level II state assessing certification.

Assessing rules and processes change often and employees face new rules and regulations and methods each year. Of the various issues facing the office during the next four years, each candidate highlighted a different area of important.

Stults noted that reassessment begins this year on July 1 and the office will be tackling the job, meaning that people's taxes could change depending on the newly assessed values and that she will help taxpayers understand those changes.

"I like to help solve problems if they have problems," she said. "I will be visible, be there for them."

Kirby focused on how state property tax caps may come into affect during assessment as well as how the state is moving toward using market values during assessment.

"Dealing with the property tax caps, it's going to make a big impact in the amount of taxes the county collects," she said.

Gaskill pointed out the many changes in assessing in general, including property tax caps and changing land values, and the importance of making sure that taxpayers understand the system being used to determine their taxes.

"Assessing changes more than any other field I've ever known," she said. "Land values change all the time, the property tax caps that are in the works, values are always going to go up and people simply don't understand why their property taxes are why they are."

Since the assessor's office is the leader during tax season and prepares information before the auditor and recorder tackle them for billing, each candidate is determined to making sure the process stays on track.

"Understanding the process is No. 1," Stults said. "You have to meet the timelines that the state puts out for you."

"You have to make sure that your employees are doing their assigned jobs and deadlines are met and transferred to the state in a timely manner," Kirby said.

"The assessor's office is a very well-run machine," Gaskill said, stating she wants to keep that feel. "I don't think there is a problem right now ... they know what they're doing. Jay County is in the top percentage of counties that turn their paperwork in early."

As for managing a departmental budget, a crucial point being encouraged by the Jay County Council as money for the county becomes tight, each candidate vowed to keep equipment costs low and make-do with what's available. Kirby also noted she would try to keep overtime hours to a minimum.

Each candidate hopes to bring something different to the position.

Stults said her experience in county assessing sets her apart.

"I have the experience and I hate to see the county fall behind," she said. "My desire is just to keep the county on time with its taxes."

Kirby wants to bring responsibility to the position and added support for taxpayers.

"I just would like to bring a sense of responsibility to the taxpayers," she said. "And be accessible so if they have questions I'm there to answer them and so my employees don't have to do it for me. I just hope to serve the public a little more."

And Gaskill said assessing is something she really misses and wants to turn that enjoyment into production while keeping the office running smoothly.

"I like dealing with the people and citizens of Jay County and I always liked working with numbers and the logistics," she said. "I have the drive and determinations to continue on with the quality of work that has been associated with the assessor's office. ... I just want to get back in the assessing world and I know I can do a good job for Jay County."[[In-content Ad]]