Assessor warchests a study in contrasts

Spokane City Councilman Brad Stark’s run to become the county’s tax man has been funded, in part, by real estate interests and some of the biggest property taxpayers in the county.

But with more than 80 total contributions from various sources, including many individuals, Stark says the more than $16,000 he’s raised for the race is a sign of widespread support.

Incumbent Assessor Ralph Baker, on the other hand, isn’t actively soliciting contributions and is mostly self-financing his campaign.

“I’d rather not give the perception that there’s any sort of unethical process going on here,” Baker said. “I don’t want people to have the impression that I’m taking money for something in return.”

The assessor is charged with valuing the county’s 200,000 parcels for property tax purposes.

Stark has raised $16,475, including a $1,000 donation from Avista, which had the largest county property tax bill in Spokane County last year, and $500 from Walt and Karen Worthy, owners of the Davenport Hotel, who had the 11th-largest county property tax bill in 2005. Real estate and property development interests account for about $5,000 of the total amount he’s raised so far.

“I’m proud of the fact that I’ve received support from far and wide throughout the county to bring needed reform and leadership to the assessor’s office,” said Stark, who has accused Baker of trying to buy the race.

Baker has given $9,600 to his campaign and raised an additional $950, most of which has come from his chief deputy, Kevin Best, Best’s wife Kathi Best, and Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson. Money that’s not his, Baker said, was sent to him unsolicited.

Baker raised about $500 when he ran in the uncontested race last year to fill the remainder of his predecessor’s term.

That included a $150 donation from Duane Alton, of Alton’s Tires. Baker said he didn’t solicit Alton’s donation or anyone else’s. (Alton this time has given $150 to Stark’s campaign.)

When he ran for auditor in 2002, Baker raised about $6,000. He said he feels differently about raising money in his bid for assessor because the office “affects people’s pocketbooks.”

Tom Paine, Avista’s government relations director, said it would be cynical to think that campaign contributors expect to get something in return for their donations. The company, he said, simply supports strong candidates.

“Brad is someone we worked with on City Council, and we’ve had a good relationship with him,” Paine said.

Former state legislator and Assessor Duane Sommers is a strong supporter of Baker, but disagrees with Baker’s decision not to raise money.

“In politics, if you let everyone finance their own campaign, only the rich could do it,” said Sommers, who raised more than $19,000 when he ran for assessor in 2002.

Baker said he’s just trying to campaign at a higher standard and is not accusing Stark or any contributors of wrongdoing.

“What I’m trying to do is to establish trust,” Baker said.