TMCnet News

Funk, Hebb vie for Preston County assessor: Both said they are qualified for the job
[September 27, 2008]

Funk, Hebb vie for Preston County assessor: Both said they are qualified for the job


(The Dominion Post in Morgantown (WV) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sep. 27--CANDIDATE biographies. Page 11-A.

Democrat Charles "Chuck" Hebb is running against incumbent Republican Terri Funk for the office of Preston County assessor in November's general election.

Hebb is a West Virginia state certified mine foreman and certified electrician.

In the primary, he spent $489.78 -- a loan of his own money to the campaign, according to postprimary reports.

Funk has been assessor for almost eight years. Before that, Funk served as deputy assessor for 22 years, seven of those as chief deputy assessor. The state Tax Department named her "Assessor of the Year" in 2005.

So far, she has spent $6,659.75, which was also a loan of her own money.

Both candidates responded to questions from The Dominion Post about what issues they may face in office and about what traits they bring to the table to fulfill the role of assessor.

Q: The public does not necessarily understand how property assessments are tied to property sales. What would you do as assessor to help educate the public on how the system works?

Hebb: "I would have a trained appraisal staff. My understanding of property assessments is valued based on a grading system. Grades range from "A+" to "F." Each grade carries a value based on grade and location.

"If elected, I would take a hard look at the present system, and with the trained appraisal staff, I would adjust the grades to the lowest allowed by law. Any time the county ends the year with $700,000 to $800,000 excess, then taxation is too high.



"I would reach out to the property owners by mass mailings with the grade range and each location of such property.

Funk: All property is to be appraised at market value, which is determined by valid sales within an area. The property assessments are 60 percent of the appraised value and that is how property assessments are tied to property sales.


"However, there are many ways that a taxpayer can lower their tax liability. Therefore, it is my goal to educate the public about the real estate and personal property tax laws so they may take advantage of moneysaving programs available.

"This would include information on homestead and disability exemption, managed timberland program, the farm use valuation program and filing the proper forms in a timely manner.

"I would continue the newspaper and radio notices and reminders, continue to visit each senior citizens group, talk to civic groups and in the near future have information online and free of charge."

Q: Preston County is experiencing significant growth. What challenges are the assessor's office facing in light of this growth, and what would you do to tackle these challenges?

Hebb: "As far as the growth in Preston County, I see a lot of homes and housing developments going up. With this happening, it creates demand for space and land.

"Again, it is important to have a trained appraisal staff and to keep the appraisal updated based on market conditions throughout the county. Due to lack of jobs in Preston County, taxation of properties should be the minimum allowed by law.

Funk: "It is true that Preston County has experienced growth and with that growth it is a challenge to maintain a conservative tax base, while observing the mandated state code.

"I will, as I have in the past, successfully work with the State Tax Department and our legislators to pass real estate and personal property tax relief measures for our citizens. Growth also brings with it changes that must be communicated from the assessor to the constituents. I will continue communication by enhancing past standards such as media and personal visits, but also broaden my communications through the Internet."

Q: What personality traits or skills do you bring to the table that would fit this job?

Hebb: He was elected to three terms as the VFW's West Virginia State Surgeon General -- the liaison between veterans in the four Veterans Affairs hospitals in West Virginia and the VFW.

"I have computer knowledge. I have knowledge of how to handle funds. I feel that I can work with all ages, from a child to the elderly. I am honest and fair, and by working with the staff in the assessor's office and the state tax department, I could, and would, keep the taxation to the minimum.

"At present I coach youth bowling at H&L Bowling lanes. I am certified as an assistant coach."

Funk: She listed the things she has done as assessor over the past seven to eight years: "maintained a conservative tax base, while observing mandated state code; advised the taxpayers of available programs to lower their tax liability, such as managed timberland, aquaculture use, classifications, homestead and disability exemptions and the senior tax credit; found errors in the public utilities report by the state tax department that saved some of our small municipalities thousands of dollars; implemented a cost-effective digital mapping system; ... worked with the Silver-Haired Legislature to improve homestead exemption; started a digital scan system to preserve our old land records; worked with legislators in passing code that would lower tax liability, such as the elimination of class I property and restoring class II rate on summer homes; found errors in the coal appraisals done by the state tax department that saved individual mineral owners thousands of dollars."

To see more of The Dominion Post or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dominionpost.com/.

Copyright (c) 2008, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]