Assessor Candidate Rebecca “Becky” Shirey[/caption]

Please explain in detail the Colorado Statutory duties of the elected official office which you would take an oath to uphold.

Colorado assessors are responsible for creating a “property owners list” showing each property owner within the subdivision. The assessor values all taxable and exempt property according to the proper statute. The total value as determined by the assessor is certified to the county entities and the state. I referred to this “inventory” at the Forum and stressed how important it is to the budgeting process of the county. It has been suggested that up to 18% of Central City’s properties have not been identified. At this time, I can’t speak to how it might relate to the county.

While it is not immediately obvious how your views on the last national election should have anything to do with the sort of local issues you will be involved with, I think it would be good to know whether you think, as some insist, that Joe Biden was fraudulently declared president. For my own part, it has surprised me to find this opinion expressed by people I never expected to hear it from. Would you all be willing to state clearly your own take on the matter? Who was the legitimate winner of the 2020 presidential election?

President Biden was voted in by the Electoral College which is the process established by the 12th Amendment of the Constitution.

Do you believe that all American citizens (over the age of 18) have an equal right to vote and have their voices heard? If so, do you believe that did not happen in the 2020 election or are you afraid it might not be the case in the 2022 election? If elected, what would you do to try to ensure that all adult American citizens’ votes are counted and/or American voices heard?

Any American citizen over the age of 18 has the right as well as the obligation to educate themselves, vote and participate in the election process to insure its validity. If anyone has concerns about the integrity of an election, I suggest they participate as an election worker or poll watcher. Previously I have worked as an election worker but as a candidate I am not permitted to be involved with the voting or ballot processing. It is also important that each citizen read and understand the Amendments that are on the ballots each year and not rely on media or their friends to make their decisions for them. And most importantly, VOTE Early, postmarks don’t count.

Assessor

Explain how property taxes will change next year?

Property Valuations are recalculated every odd-numbered year. Next year, 2023, being an odd-numbered year will see new valuations based on market value as of June 30, 2022. As the housing market was very strong in the first half of 2022, I expect an increase in valuations.

Explain how protests of property valuations are handled and what you would do to facilitate a fair review of the protest?

As everyone is aware by now, I have never been an assessor or worked in an assessor’s office. But I have a great deal of experience to bring to the position. I have had to deal with negotiating with citizens in other positions. I have been an insurance agent for the past 16 years. As all of you can attest, insurance rates have skyrocketed over the last years and obtaining insurance in the area in and around Gilpin County is becoming more difficult. Because I live here, many of my clients, before I sold my agency, were residents here. I performed an annual review of policies and communicated to my clients the reasons the policies were increasing and looked for ways to lower their premium by verifying the records and looking for possible discounts. My experience with this would translate perfectly to communicating with the residents of Gilpin County. I would be available by phone or in person to discuss any of their concerns and review their valuations. I am also familiar with this process because as a homeowner, in this county and others, I have contested my valuations so am personally familiar with the process, including contesting property lines in Jefferson County I do have experience with this process and would be able to have a constructive conversation to clearly communicate to the resident.

What are your views of the county employees in the Assessor’s office and what you do to help them with their jobs.

I have had many occasions to communicate by phone with the employees of the Assessor’s office through my role obtaining information for insurance clients. I always found the employees to go out of their way to be helpful. Anyone I dealt with was always pleasant and knowledgeable, answering my questions fully. Initially, I would be listening to them to maintain continuity in the office. I would encourage them to become cross-trained in the office, learning from each other some of the tasks each is responsible for so that residents would always be able to have their questions answered, even if someone was out of the office for illness or vacation. As Assessor, I would communicate what I have learned about a coordinated team and try to become a part of that team.

Please tell us what you know about the Gallagher Amendment.

The Gallagher Amendment of 1982 was put on the ballot in 2020 as Colorado Amendment B. the Gallagher Amendment Repeal and Property Tax Assessment Rates Measure as a legislative referred constitutional amendment. It was approved. Repealing the Gallagher Amendment, set residential and nonresidential property tax assessments at the previous rates (7.15% for residential property and 29% for non-residential property). The Gallagher Amendment was passed in 1982 to adjust each year to assist homeowners with the increased housing market. Since 1982, the residential property tax assessment rate has dropped from 21% to 7.15% under the Gallagher Amendment. The repeal of the Gallagher Amendment froze the property tax assessment rates at the then current rate of 7.15% for residential property and 29% for non-residential property. Under this repeal, It allows the state legislature to provide for future property tax assessment rate decreases through state law and continuing to require voter approval for rate increases due to TABOR.

As a result of SB21-293, and due to the failure of Prop 120, the following changes to the statewide property tax assessment rates will take effect for tax year 2022. The passage of SB22-238 changed the assessment rates for tax years 2023, 2024 and 2025. I won’t go into all the changes as your readers are probably residential owners. For tax year 2022, the tax rate will be reduced from 7.15% to 6.95%. It will go to 6.765% for tax year 2023 along with the first $15k in actual value being exempted. The 2024 tax year rate is UNKNOWN at this time as it will be calculated by the Colorado Division of Property Taxation. In 2025 the tax rate will go back to 7.15%.

What is your management style?

My management style would be considered “coaching”. I have grown into this style over my time in management, finding it to be the most effective for myself as a leader as well as my team. Through much of my previous training, I have learned to identify each member’s strengths. I’m able to help team members set smart goals. I set clear expectations, offering guidance, and asking questions. Through this type of leadership, I have empowered past employees to grow within their field able to take on more responsibility. I assisted my last employee to obtain two of her insurance licenses which allowed her to grow within my office and enabled me to delegate more duties to her as well as providing her financial increases. When I sold my agency, she easily found another position using the training and skills she learned. Strangely enough, I received a text from an employee from many years ago, seeing my profile on LinkedIn thanking me for the training she received from me and telling me how it helped her with a long and successful career. Another employee received a promotion in the same company we both worked for after being in my department and developing under my Leadership.

How do you promote a positive and productive climate in your office?

I think to promote a positive and productive climate is to celebrate positive achievements and growth of each team member. Also communicating future projects, keeping everyone informed of where we’re headed as a team with no surprises, leads to stability in the group, confidence in the leader and a much more productive team.

If someone is unhappy about their assessed property value, how do you respond?

I would offer a review of our records compared to their property to make sure the information is correct. I would also point out any options that may be available for reductions based on their circumstances.