The Leader continues its Voters Guide for the Aug. 4 primary election. To assist an expected high number of people who will cast absentee and mail-in ballots, we will be posting profiles on candidates in contested races and ballot issues. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot or mail-in ballot is July 22. For information, call the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office at 636-797-5486.
Bob Boyer is seeking a second four-year term as Jefferson County Assessor in the Aug. 4 primary election. Because no candidate from any other party has filed for the seat, his only opposition comes from a fellow Republican, Mary Dunnegan. The winner of the August primary then will run unopposed in November.
The assessor is paid $84,847 a year.
BOYER, 38, lives in Arnold. He and his wife, Misty, have three children. He is completing his first term as assessor after serving six years on the Jefferson County Council.
He is the president of the Central East Missouri Assessors Association, chairs the personal property and education committees of the Missouri State Assessors Association and is on the board of the St. Louis chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Surveyors.
A 2000 graduate of Festus High School, he earned an associates degree from Jefferson College. He is a state-licensed real estate appraiser and land surveyor and has more than 200 hours of continuing education classes in appraisal and surveying.
Social media: Website: ElectBobBoyer.com Facebook: BoyerforAssessor Twitter: @BobBoyer316
DUNNEGAN, 55, lives in Dittmer. She and her husband, David C. Kelsay, have three children and three grandchildren. She is a residential and commercial title examiner for Title Partners Agency LLC in St. Louis.
A 1984 graduate of Northwest High School, she earned an associate degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1990. She takes yearly continuing education classes required for the state title examiner’s license.
Social media: Website: MaryForJeffersonCounty.com Facebook: Mary Dunnegan for Jefferson County Assessor
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Boyer: My three years as assessor, along with my 15 years of experience as a professional land surveyor and project manager, makes me uniquely qualified to lead this department. In my first term, I have earned my Missouri real estate appraiser license and have more than 200 hours of continuing education coursework. This experience and education make me the better choice.
Dunnegan: I have 25 years of residential and commercial land title experience and 30 years of tax and accounting experience. I’m a former first vice-president and treasurer of the Jefferson County Republican Club and am on the advisory committee of the Peace Pantry.
What are the assessor’s duties? Why are you qualified to carry them out?
Boyer: The assessor keeps track of all real estate and personal property and values that property for taxing purposes. The assessor also manages and maintains online maps and property records. As a state-licensed real estate appraiser and state-licensed land surveyor, I am the only candidate in this race with the real-world experience to perform these important duties. The results in the past three years speak for themselves. Under my leadership, the Assessor’s Office is a professional office that serves the public well every day.
Dunnegan: The duties of an assessor are to compile and maintain secure accurate records of owners of real and personal property located within the county, to fairly and accurately determine valuations of property, serve the residents and businesses with the respect and integrity they deserve and provide strong leadership in the office. Being a licensed title examiner for more than 25 years and with 30 years of tax and accounting experience, I have the knowledge and experience necessary to efficiently and accurately perform those duties.
What would you do to improve public access to data controlled by your office?
Boyer: Under my leadership, the Assessor’s Office has used technology to provide public information to taxpayers conveniently online. I have worked to add more features to our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) online maps since taking office. Property lines, aerial imagery, zoning and floodplain data can all be viewed at home or in the office, without the need to drive to Hillsboro. I receive compliments daily on how easy the GIS site is to use. This is just one example of how I have used technology to provide better customer service to the taxpayers.
Dunnegan: The Jefferson County public data site currently contains inaccurate information. I will correct and add “site addresses” for properties with owners who use a different mailing address. I will correct previously filed vesting deeds to contain accurate information. I will also work with the GPS system to correct and update information necessary for accurate public records. I will expand the e-file system to allow additional information to be filed electronically by taxpayers.
What would you do to improve customer service?
Boyer: I have worked hard to provide the best customer service of any department in county government. I have implemented policies and procedures to make sure that the taxpayer spends the least amount of time necessary to get business done. I also have used technology to make interacting with my office simple. I worked with our software vendor to implement full electronic filing of personal property assessment lists. Taxpayers can now save time by using their computer, smartphone or tablet to file their assessment lists in less than 1 minute. This year, 30,000 taxpayers used this option.
Dunnegan: To properly serve and represent the residents of Jefferson County, I encourage open communication. I no longer want anyone to hesitate to call or visit the Assessor's Office. I strongly believe the Assessor’s Office should have an open-door policy to answer questions, listen to concerns and act in the best interest of the taxpayers.
Should the assessor’s job continue to be an elected, partisan position? Why or why not?
Boyer: Yes, the assessor should be elected by the people. I am a conservative. I believe people make better choices with their money than the government does. The only political platform that endorses this philosophy is the Republican Party. This position, due to that philosophy, should remain a partisan position. I’m proud to say that under my leadership, this office has treated taxpayers fairly and equally. This is a conservative Republican principle that I will continue to implement daily.
Dunnegan: It should continue to be an elected position to have the public use their voice in deciding whom they feel would perform the duties required and represent their interests.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Boyer: Four years ago, I was honored to be elected Jefferson County's first Republican assessor since 1933. I have worked hard to make sure the Assessor’s Office works for you and not against you. I am the only candidate who has a proven, conservative record of treating people with respect and not as revenue generators. I have watched over their tax dollars as if they were my own, and protected their rights, freedoms and liberties against overreaches of government. I will continue to move the office into the 21st century and provide the level of service the public deserves.
Dunnegan: According to the Missouri State Tax Commission’s annual reports, under Bob Boyer's leadership Jefferson County tax valuations have increased by almost $170 million, 40 percent of that increase from residential property. This has led to numerous lawsuits being filed against the office, which costs taxpayers to defend these lawsuits with outside counsel. Boyer now has a documented record of greatly increasing property taxes. With my vast experience and knowledge, I will serve the residents of Jefferson County with the utmost financial responsibility and integrity which our county needs, especially in light of the current economy.