Cape County assessor candidates outline goals for office

After more than three decades under the leadership of retiring Democrat Jerry Reynolds, voters will decide Aug. 7 which of the three Republican Cape Girardeau County assessor hopefuls will stand as the lone candidate in the November election.

The assessor locates taxable property, identifies ownership, establishes property values and lists those values on assessment rolls for taxation that provide the funding base for the county. From the time Reynolds was elected in 1976, the county's taxable property value grew from $176 million to more than $1 billion. The salary for the office was set at $72,505 for 2012.

Candidate Ron Andrews has worked in the assessor's office since 2008 as geographic information systems coordinator, developing and managing appraisal systems and software. He points to more than 25 years of experience with state assessment systems as distinguishing him from the other candidates.

"I have a proven track record of ability to work cooperatively and effectively with all elected officeholders and their supporting staff," he said in an emailed statement.

Andrews identified a number of issues the office is facing, including obtaining an accurate appraisal of the new casino under construction in Cape Girardeau, replacement of retiring key staff members, continuous evaluation of marketing trends, technology and legislation that affects the assessor, cooperation with business and government entities to support bringing industry to the area and development of a disaster plan to protect access to records.

Andrews said he'd like to see more educational information made available online to residents, as well as the ability to fill out personal property statements via the Internet, which he says would save the county money. He would like to partner with the recorder's office to create "a one-stop point-of-information source" and augment the staff's customer service training.

Andrews' campaign finance records filed as of June 30 show that he gathered $1,220 from contributors, spent $147 and had $1,073 on hand going into the last month of the race.

Candidate Bob Adams, owner of Adams Appraisal Service in Jackson, is a state-certified general real estate appraiser and said he participates in ongoing education on new trends and regulations in assessing property values. During his 33-year career, Adams said, he has completed more than 33,000 appraisals and has worked closely with the assessor's offices in Cape Girardeau and other counties.

Adams would also like to improve access to assessor data and information by putting records online.

"My goals would be to automate more of the daily operation of records and data keeping used by the assessor's office and the public," Adams said, in an effort to streamline filing of property and tax information and reduce the need for the public to travel to county offices.

"Over the years my profession has allowed me to visit and work in many assessor's offices around the state. While Cape Girardeau County is among the best, it can be better. With the proper vision and leadership, I believe I can make the improvements necessary to achieve this," Adams said by email.

As of June 30, Adams raised $5,725 from supporters, including a $250 contribution by Jackson Alderman Joe Bob Baker. He reported spending $3,409, leaving $2,955 on hand.

Candidate Amy Jones and her husband co-own Jones Landmark Development LLC, a Cape Girardeau real estate development and construction company. She is overseeing the management and construction of Walden Park, a $3 million mixed-use residential development.

"I have over 18 years of extensive, diverse real estate experience as a developer, builder and broker/owner of a real estate sales company where I successfully led a large team," Jones said via email, adding that she has a "comprehensive understanding of the assessor's roles and duties" and "the qualifications, knowledge and attention to detail necessary to effectively manage all aspects of the office."

A major issue the office faces, Jones said, is recently reduced compensation from the State Tax Commission of Missouri -- from over $6 per parcel to $3.41 per parcel.

Like the other candidates, Jones feels that the assessor's office could save time and money by creating more access to information online.

To further improve current practices, Jones says she would cross-train the office staff, increase technological expertise within the office and improve collaboration among county offices.

Jones raised $13,070 from contributors as of June 30, including $750 from her father-in-law and former Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, $300 from Diane Diebold, county collector, $250 from Gary Rust, chairman of Rust Communications, $100 from Rex Rust, co-president of Rust Communications, $100 from the campaign to elect Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger, $100 from Cape Girardeau councilwoman and unopposed state house of representatives candidate Kathy Swan, $50 from Cape Girardeau County commissioner candidate Moe Sandfort and $50 from state representative Ellen Brandom. Jones spent $12,011, leaving $459 on hand at the end of the reporting period.

Unlike other elected county officials who will take office Jan. 1, Reynolds' replacement will not step in until Sept. 1, 2013. State law allows the incumbent assessor to delay the transition until after the office completes yearly property assessments, which are due June 1.

salderman@semissourian.com

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