July 24, 2010 in City

Spokane County assessor candidates, issues

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Ralph Baker
(Full-size photo)(All photos)

Personal: 57. 18-year resident. Married. No children.

Education: B.A. in aviation management, University of Northern Louisiana. MBA, University of Northern Colorado.

Career: U.S. Air Force, 24 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Former Morgan Stanley financial adviser. Former Spokane County chief deputy assessor. Assessor since January 2005.

Political: Republican. Ran for assessor in 2002. Appointed and elected in 2005. Re-elected in 2006.

What is the biggest challenge facing this office?

Fairly and equitably appraising 228,000 property parcels worth more than $43 billion to accurately calculate the tax rates for 58 tax districts using an open and transparent process is a huge challenge. I’ve led this office from one of the worst in our state to one of the best.

What is the best thing you have accomplished? The website at www.spokanecounty.org/assessor is my best accomplishment. It’s pure open and transparent government. With 7 million annual page views, public review of our work has greatly improved our accuracy and accountability.

What is your biggest mistake? Creating a menu-driven telephone-answering system during my first year in office in an attempt to better direct calls. It was a flop. Customers hated it. I eliminated it and placed appraisers’ direct phone numbers and e-mail contact information on assessment notices and on our website. That worked.

Do you believe morale in the assessor’s office should be a concern for voters? No. Assessor’s office union employees received a generous pay raise, no furloughs, and no layoffs. They have excellent facilities with good equipment and absolutely outstanding health, vacation, sick leave and retirement benefits. Workload is not excessive. You now have one of the best assessor’s offices in our state. Morale is fine.

Why is aerial photography a good or bad idea in satisfying state regulations for assessing property values? You cannot improve things by leaving them the same. Using new technology to improve quality of work with fewer people and less expense is fundamental to our success as a nation. Since coming to the assessor’s office, I’ve reduced staff from 58 to 45, a 22 percent decrease, while greatly improving our quality of work. Similar photos are already available online. Why not use this technology? Aerial photos will save more than a quarter of a million of your tax dollars every year. That’s what you want: smaller, more effective government. Stay the course, re-elect Ralph Baker.

Personal: 76. 54-year resident. Widowed. Two adult sons.

Education: High school diploma.

Career: Retired. Joined Spokane County assessor’s office staff in 1963, rising to chief deputy assessor in 1992.

Political: Democrat. Appointed and elected assessor in 1992. Re-elected in 1994 and 1998. Defeated by Duane Sommers in 2002.

What is the biggest challenge facing this office? All segments of government are currently being challenged with the mandate to do more with less. The two biggest issues facing the assessor’s office are: staying current with technology and empowering staff through proper training to capitalize upon their skills and take ownership of their positions.

During my leadership of the assessor’s office, I implemented a new system that provided the technology to capture information for accurate appraisals for all duties relegated to the assessor’s office. I implemented this system in the late 1990s and this same system is still in place. Good leadership of this department will ensure that proper resources are allocated to maintain the enhancements necessary to keep the department current in technological advances.

What is the best thing the incumbent has accomplished? After his six years as assessor, only Mr. Baker and I understand the extreme importance of this often overlooked office and the criticality of not only its revenue stream for the county budget, but its potential for impacting Spokane’s economic outlook.

What’s the incumbent’s biggest mistake? The number of missing parcels resulting in lost tax revenue, complaints of poor customer service and his failure to achieve a cohesive office structure indicates a less-than-effective management style.

Do you believe morale in the assessor’s office should be a concern for voters? I have purposefully not involved any employees currently at the assessor’s office in my campaign. It is my opinion that it is not appropriate to engage staff as it causes division between employees as evidenced by the current disruption inside the office.

Why is aerial photography a good or bad idea in satisfying state regulations for assessing property values? Aerial photography is only one of many tools that can be used in the appraisal process. By law, according to RCW 84.41.030, all properties have to be physically inspected – one-sixth of the county each year and all new construction be completed annually.

Personal: 56. nine-year resident. Married. Four adult children.

Education: High school diploma. Some college.

Career: Appraiser, Spokane County assessor’s office. Former appraiser and two years as chief deputy assessor in Clearwater County, Idaho. Former Clearwater County sheriff’s dispatcher.

Political: Republican. No experience.

What is the biggest challenge facing this office? Gaining the trust of the taxpayer and the staff.

What is the best thing the incumbent has accomplished? Field computer technology.

What’s the incumbent’s biggest mistake? Severe lack of leadership.

Do you believe morale in the assessor’s office should be a concern for voters? Yes, with poor leadership it creates poor morale, which creates slower working habits and increased stress.

Why is aerial photography a good or bad idea in satisfying state regulations for assessing property values? I believe it is a bad idea. It is an exorbitant cost for little return. Washington law requires us to visit each property once every six years. This is the time when an outbuilding, patio or deck should be added. Our permit system is now automated through most of the county. The aerial photography is an invasion of privacy in my opinion. The amount of property that would be picked up would take many years to recoup and with an annual fee maybe never.

Personal: 48. Lifelong resident. Married. Three children, ages 13 to 23.

Education: B.A. in computer science, Eastern Washington University.

Career: Home-based software engineer for an Atlanta firm. Former high school math teacher, aerospace training manager.

Political: Democrat. Precinct committee officer.

What is the biggest challenge facing this office? Credibility. This office has lost credibility. Taxpayers are angry when they hear that many properties are not assessed.

I am an engineer, and engineers solve problems. I collaborate with employees to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a particular project and develop a program to increase efficiency and effectiveness as a result.

I enjoy my job, but I became irritated when I learned that properties in Spokane County were not being assessed. Property tax payers, including myself, are paying more than their fair share. Rather than complain about the problem, I decided to take action.

After talking with former employees of the assessor’s office I decided to run for this position. I have the necessary skills to make the assessor’s office effective and efficient so that all property tax payers benefit. I’m not a politician. I’m not looking for a job. I’m an engineer that wants to solve a problem. Restoring credibility is the challenge I am prepared to undertake.

What is the best thing the incumbent has accomplished? Under the current assessor’s term, a website has been introduced.

What’s the incumbent’s biggest mistake? As I doorbell, all I hear are angry and frustrated voices toward the current assessor’s office. I do not hear favorable comments. Failing to assess properties has angered the public.

Do you believe morale in the assessor’s office should be a concern for voters? Of course. The turnover rate is too high under the current assessor. Training new personnel is costly and valuable experience is lost. Remember, morale and productivity go hand-in-hand.

Why is aerial photography a good or bad idea in satisfying state regulations for assessing property values? I disagree with the decision to use aerial photography. When free software such as Google Earth is available, money can be allocated in needed areas.

Personal: 56. Lifelong resident. Unmarried. Adult daughter.

Education: B.A. in radio-television journalism, master’s in teaching, both from Whitworth University.

Career: Managing broker, Windermere Real Estate. Former Washington State Patrol communications supervisor and bank worker.

Political: Independent. Neighborhood activist. No appointed or elected experience.

What is the biggest challenge facing this office? The biggest challenge is to restore public trust in the assessor’s office to competently, efficiently and fairly assess property values. I intend to reduce the number of future appeals by providing fair and consistent valuations. Accountability to the public is a primary concern.

What is the best thing the incumbent has accomplished? As a real estate broker needing to view property profiles for 25 years, I appreciate the newer, well-designed website with the detailed information. However, this should not replace contact with citizens. I will encourage greater interaction between staff and members of the public with my open door/open ear policy.

What’s the incumbent’s biggest mistake? The incumbent has undervalued the office’s greatest asset: employees. Shortly after his appointment in 2006, Mr. Baker publicly accused his staff of trying to sabotage his election campaign by exposing properties missing from the tax rolls. In the four years since, employee turnover has been significant and morale is at an all-time low. As your assessor I will value my staff members by listening to their concerns, by providing them with the necessary tools and training to effectively accomplish their work, and by acknowledging their accomplishments.

Do you believe morale in the assessor’s office should be a concern for voters? Absolutely! The current divisive atmosphere in the office compromises productivity, public service and, most importantly, the ability of the office to provide fair and consistent property valuations. Creating a positive work environment is a top priority. I want to look forward to coming to work every day!

Why is aerial photography a good or bad idea in satisfying state regulations for assessing property values? The public has expressed major invasion-of-privacy concerns that come with Mr. Baker’s “Pictometry” purchase of nearly $600,000. I understand that you can get similar results using Bing and Google Earth – for free. In this economy, it doesn’t make sense to needlessly spend $600,000.

Personal: 51. Lifelong resident. Unmarried. Two adult sons.

Education: High school diploma. Some college.

Career: Spokane County fiscal grants specialist. Former recording cashier in auditor’s office, Trentwood Irrigation District secretary.

Political: Independent. No experience.

What is the biggest challenge facing this office? The biggest challenge facing this office is a complete and comprehensive assessment system for all properties. By auditing building permits back 10 years we can ensure that all properties have been accounted for. Due to differences in how communities issue building permits I believe a more organized system is needed to track property development in Spokane County to avoid any further mishaps in this area.

What is the best thing the incumbent has accomplished? The incumbent, Mr. Baker, has made a notable effort to make the assessor’s office function in compliance with state reassessment cycle requirements.

What’s the incumbent’s biggest mistake? The incumbent has nearly eliminated accessibility of the assessor’s office to the general public. Computer automation and web access cannot replace the interactive customer service necessary for resolution of assessment concerns.

Do you believe morale in the assessor’s office should be a concern for voters? Yes, I believe the morale of employees in the office should be of concern to voters. Morale impacts the overall quality of an employee’s performance, productivity and, ultimately, the retention of experienced employees. Employees should have the opportunity to find satisfaction in their work environment and the desire to stand by the integrity of their employer.

Why is aerial photography a good or bad idea in satisfying state regulations for assessing property values? It is extremely important that voters understand that aerial photography performed for assessment purposes will not replace the state regulatory requirement for on-site appraisal. It is not an all-encompassing solution to the ultimate requirement of a certified appraiser performing physical inspection. Any additional information that can be provided by aerial photography must still be documented by appraisal staff and then be added to the property tax assessment role. I believe aerial photography could be used as a tool in the assessment process, but it can’t fulfill state requirements in assessment of properties by itself.

13 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  worthasecondlook on July 25 at 9:38 a.m.

  County employees are well compensated. Baker, miraculously has lost 22% of his employees through budget cuts and early retirement yet has taken the office to a top tier rating. Hard decisions are not always popular. If some of these employees don’t want their jobs there is a recession and a glut of qualified, educated people eager to work. Baker has twice the qualifications of any other two candidates combined. This is a no brainer.

• 

  Ron_the_Cop on July 25 at 12:57 p.m.

  It’s a case of anyone except Tucker and perhaps Cooney. . See the investigative work of retired Sheriff Tony Bamonte re Cowles Co owned property getting favorable property tax appraisals:

  http://tinyurl.com/2454jjf

  For more listened to these interviews on Mike Fagan’s & George McGrath’s the radio show, The RIGHT Spokane Perspective:

  http://tinyurl.com/2g5od5y

• 

  Ron_the_Cop on July 25 at 5:59 p.m.

  Sorry Freudian slip

  Tucker = Baker

  They’re cut from the same cloth:-)

• 

  worthasecondlook on July 25 at 6:57 p.m.

  Two things came of my investigation of the ron the cop comments. First, is that the 26 million river park square garage appraisal was for bond purposes and not a market appraisal which is mandated by the department of revenue for tax purposes. These are entirely different purposes and cannot be blamed on an assessor as it is state law that requires a market appraisal for taxes. Second, the river park square garage started out on one tax id parcel number and was segregated into two parcels per their application. Possibly for income tax purposes so they could separate costs to different tenants that use the facility. Regardless, the record should show that nobody in the press is explaining any of this so it is a skewed perception and the river park square situation was before the incumbent, ralph baker, anyways. Also, assessors do not sell bonds to the public or appraise property for that purpose. The value of the garage should be compared to other parking garages in the county. I did look some of those up as well and found them to be all in the same assessment range on the spokane county assessor site. This seems to be a irrelevant issue when all the info is considered. Definitly, not a consideration if determining my vote.

• 

  Ron_the_Cop on July 25 at 7:09 p.m.

  Worthasecondlook.

  Re RPS it’s such a mess I’ll give a pass on this one. It’s all the other property that Sheriff Bamonte looked at that either has been ignored or otherwise seems to be under assessed for whatever reasons.

• 

  worthasecondlook on July 25 at 7:12 p.m.

  What parcels are those? I have this county site down pat now after checking out those garages.

• 

  Ron_the_Cop on July 25 at 9:21 p.m.

  Worthasecondlook,

  Here’s a letter from Bamonte to Best that list some of the parcels. If you would like a complete listing let me know.

  http://tinyurl.com/2cldxke

  You can email me at:

  nar9350 [at] gmail [dot] com

• 

  worthasecondlook on July 26 at 2:08 p.m.

  Ron,

  It looks like the aerial pics on their website at spokanecounty.org show those $400 assessment Cowling properties are approximately 10’ wide, on the river across from their paper mill and are underwater half of the year from flood plain lines, also no access to them as they are landlocked by the parcels behind them….doesn’t seem like they are worth anything. There are also parcels on either side owned by private people also valued at the $400. Seems fair to me. As to some of the other questions in that letter to Best a google search nets this public response from Baker to those issues at
  http://www.spokanerepublicanclub.com/site/Viewer.aspx?iid=28201&mname=Article&rpid=6503

• 

  Ron_the_Cop on July 26 at 3:05 p.m.

  Worthasecondlook,

  I will pass this along to Sheriff Bamonte.

• 

  Ron_the_Cop on August 01 at 12:59 p.m.

  BREAKING - KREM2 News to do followup on Assessor’s Office controversies

  Worthasecondlook,

  I’m putting this up to foster a discussion. Lets see where the chips eventually fall.

  Ron,

  Yes- Since this involves us all as voters and taxpayers this news story affects us all. The story will air on KREM2 news Thursday August 5th at 6:00 pm. I was immersed in collecting data and filing the whistleblower complaint for three years ending with my resignation. It became a choice between my job or my sanity and I chose the latter. There was NO DOUBT in my mind the current assessor would have found a way to fire me leading to litigation which frankly I didn’t have the stomach for. We as taxpayers deserve honest, ethical elected officials representing us and that is the reason I’m getting involved- after experiencing what I have, and seen firsthand how these people abuse their positions of power I would be remiss to not get involved.

  Thank You,
  Debi

  Larry & Tony,
  Good news today if you haven’t already heard it. The Assessor’s Mess part 2 will be aired this Thursday August 5th at 6:00 pm. Just in time for the primary!!!!! Be sure to tune in- the saga continues!!

  Pass this on!!!
  Thanks,
  Debi

  *****

  FYI - Former Sheriff Tony Bamonte filed a formal criminal complaint against incumbent Assessor Ralph Baker with Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick who “returned it to sender.” For further read:

  America’s Most Dangerous Cop
  http://larryshook.com/2010/05/12/america%E2%80%99s-most-dangerous-cop/

  It will be interesting what KREM2 may have uncovered in this investigative piece.

• 

  worthasecondlook on August 02 at 8:42 a.m.

  Debi Mason and KREM 2 are clearly politically motivated against Mr Baker and not honorably motivated to expose legitimate problems in the assessor’s office. Her whistleblower allegations were found to be unsubstantiated, yet she persists. She’s a political zealot. The definition of a zealot is one who having forgotten the original purpose redoubles her efforts. It is sad to see Mr Shaw and KREM 2 sucked into becoming political zealots. Their mission is to expose legitimate issues, not make them up. I can see why Bamonte, Shook and Ron the Cop are involved as it makes for sensational fiction. I understand the need to sell books but in reality Debi Mason is no hero. The tens of thousands of dollars spent investigating her allegations is being paid by increased taxing of you and I.

  So, her job was to assess property….if and when she found a mistake she should have fixed it and assessed it and moved on to the next property. That would have cost about $10 in taxpayer money versus the tens of thousands it has cost. Same result, the property is now assessed but everyone’s taxes went up because she was not a team player. Our society needs more people who do their jobs instead of running off on some tangent investigating conspiracy theories. We should leave investigation of conspiracy theories and creation of new ones to Bamonte and Shook.

  My taxpayer money is being spent investigating the same thing over and over with the end result of no purposeful wrongdoing. That is the problem. Maybe Debi Mason is friends with someone at Krem who was going to get laid off but with all the time spent trying to make a story here they are still employed. It could be fraud and misuse of county resources that she spent the entire time she worked there collecting data and filing the whistleblower instead of assessing property. Her 15 minutes of fame are over. She summed up her character by quitting. No respect for that.

• 

  Ron_the_Cop on August 02 at 12:12 p.m.

  Worthasecondlook,

  I have an open mind. I know some of what Sheriff Bamonte’s research entails.

  How about we watch KREM2’s piece before we all go jumping to conclusions.

• 

  worthasecondlook on August 02 at 1:52 p.m.

  Randy Shaw and krem lost my respect when those sexual charges were brought against him. I wonder if any of the other news outlets will cover it fairly? If there was anything to cover I am sure they would have done a report on it.