I was the Democratic nominee for the office of Salt Lake County assessor in 2014, and I’ve been employed in the office for more than two decades, including nearly four years as the chief deputy assessor. I’ve had the unique opportunity to work on property valuation and administration within every division of the office, which gives me a great understanding of what it takes to run this critical office. I am honored to endorse Republican Chris Stavros for re-election as Salt Lake County assessor.
This is not an entry-level position; it demands a deep knowledge of mass appraisal to value nearly 400,000 real estate parcels annually. Stavros brings an unmatched 30 years of assessment experience to the table, including the last seven as the assessor or chief deputy. Stavros garnered the expertise to navigate these complexities because his tireless work ethic and dedication drove him by starting his career as a part-time temporary employee and working his way up to a division director before being appointed chief deputy.
Under his guidance, the assessor’s office has become a national leader in utilizing cutting-edge valuation techniques to accurately value every class of property. These advancements have not only improved valuation accuracy, but also protected homeowners by successfully defending the valuations during appeals and litigation. Even as property taxes have risen, valuation appeals have decreased, a testament to Stavros’ effective leadership and staff.
Stavros has been a tireless taxpayer advocate, fighting against legislation that further shifts the property tax burden to homeowners. He understands that good governance means protecting taxpayers while ensuring fairness in the valuation and appeal process. The office is currently working with the University of Utah on an A.I. project that utilizes aerial imagery to enhance the accuracy and collection of property characteristics, which will reduce unnecessary field inspections and lower vehicle emissions to help improve our air quality.
As a resident, taxpayer and someone who deeply understands the intricacies of the assessor’s office, I whole-heartedly support Chris Stavros for re-election. His passion and commitment to providing top-tier services at the lowest cost to taxpayers makes him the right choice to continue leading this office.
Tyler Andrus, West Jordan
