Island County Assessor

Island County property owners deserve an Assessor’s Office that meets the highest professional standards: accurate valuations, transparent practices, and qualified leadership. The Assessor’s role isn’t political. It’s technical, ethical, and deeply consequential – your home, your retirement, your tax bill. It demands a qualified leader with laser focus, integrity, and responsive service to every resident – from day one and every day after. I am the only candidate holding both the AAS and RES designations from the International Association of Assessing Officers, with over 4.5 years on our appraisal team. I will lead from office and field, working alongside our appraisers and staff. I will invest in retaining and developing our appraisal team – institutional knowledge is hard-won – and pursue IAAO’s departmental Certificate of Excellence in Assessment Administration. I will publish monthly reports and expand outreach helping eligible residents – seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, farmers, and forestland owners – claim available exemptions and current use programs. I am honored that former Island County Assessor and retired Navy Captain Bernie Upchurch – a Republican who personally recruited me to the Assessor’s Office – endorses and encourages my candidacy. Qualifications. Accountability. Fairness. Ethics. Commitments I bring to this office.

The Island County Assessor’s Office is responsible for far more than appraising property. The office administers property tax laws, manages valuation systems, maintains accurate tax rolls, oversees exemption programs, and ensures fairness and uniformity for taxpayers countywide. During my first term as Assessor, we modernized public property tools, improved land valuation systems, strengthened appraiser training, expanded taxpayer services on Camano Island, significantly reduced appeals, established a Farm & Agriculture Advisory Committee, improved equity in assessments, and operated under budget. As an Island County resident, homeowner, father, and licensed real estate broker, I understand the importance of fair and accurate assessments, transparent government, and public trust. My background includes thirty years of public service and leadership, including executive management experience in county government and law enforcement. I currently hold the designation of Accredited Washington State Real Property Appraiser. I also serve on the Washington State Association of County Assessors Education and Appraisal Committees, working with assessors statewide to improve professional standards, training, and uniformity in property assessment practices. Island County deserves experienced, steady leadership committed to fairness, professionalism, and service to all residents. I respectfully ask for your support to continue that progress as your Island County Assessor.