Grafton Township Assessor Race: Candidate Terra Jensen

Patch.com wants you to know the candidates for Grafton Township Assessor when you head to the polls on April 9.

Terra Jensen

Age: 32

Family: Significant Other – Denny / Daughter - Brooklynn

Education: Bachelors of Science Degree from Eastern Illinois / Certified Illinois Assessing Official Designation

Occupation: Deputy Assessor, Elgin Township

Previous elected or appointed offices: None

Position sought: Assessor

Political party: Independent

Campaign E-mail address: terra4assessor@yahoo.com

Campaign committee: Terra Jensen

Campaign Website: www.restoregraftontownship.com

Campaign Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElectTerraJensenForGraftonTownshipAssessor

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? As a property owner in Grafton Township for the last nine years, I have a vested interest in the well-being of our township -- as the mother to a child in District 158 and because local government has a direct impact on my family’s livelihood.  For those reasons, I have chosen to participate in this mission of running for assessor; but more importantly to restore and improve the assessment process at the township level.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? Determine fair and equitable assessments while adhering to the Illinois Property Tax Code, explain to taxpayers how assessments were derived and defend the equitable assessments at public hearings.

What are the top three issues facing Grafton Township residents? As assessor, my objectives will have a timely impact on property owners’ throughout the township.

1.     Fair Distribution of the tax burden amongst taxpayers

a.     Establish and implement a uniform and equitable system for valuing properties while adhering to the Illinois Property Tax Code. As a result of my existing assessment experience and knowledge with the current valuation program utilized in the Grafton Assessor’s office, I will be equipped to redirect the already adept staff to instantly, efficiently and effectively produce improvements in the valuation process.

Example: On January 1, 2014, “neighborhoods” will be established internally throughout the township in order to accurately determine comparable property types and locations faster. Those “neighborhoods” will then be reviewed yearly to establish uniform and equitable assessments based on present market data to guarantee up-to-date assessments.

b.     Coordinate with neighboring assessors to ensure uniformed assessments within areas divided between townships and counties so the net taxable value of comparable properties is well-proportioned regardless of township boundaries.

2.     More efficient use of taxpayers’ dollars

a.     Workload can be reduced and costs can be cut by reducing the number of appeals generated each year.

The intent of the appeal process was NOT created for residents to singly establish property assessments, in turn creating disadvantages to comparable properties that do not file appeals. Uniformity is essential in the valuation process in order to guarantee fair allocation of the tax burden. Moreover, the appeal process is very expensive at every level of the system and those expenses are ultimately filtered down to the taxpayers.

As assessor, I will ensure uniformed and accurate market values when assessments are certified by the County. The need to file an appeal will be nonexistent unless a factual error in property characteristics exist without the office’s knowledge. In addition, I will defend the township as a whole by supporting the assessments before public hearings, safeguarding disadvantages to those property owners who do not file an appeal. This will assist in making sure the burden is allocated equally amongst taxpayers.

b.     More efficient office practices with the integration of current technology

3.     Educating residents on the property tax cycle and assessment process

a.     Encourage residents to discuss assessments at the township level and explain assessed values to property owners

                                          i.    The purpose of the valuation process is not to individually appraise each property, but rather use a mass appraisal technique to help distribute the tax burden fairly. Property assessments change slower than the market changes due to township assessor’s required by state law to use sale prices from the last three years, so it takes time for the assessment levels to catch up in a declining market, the same is true in a rising market.

As assessor, I will review sales and valuation data yearly to reassure assessments are continually up to date. I encourage all property owners to discuss assessments at the township prior to the books being turned into the County to be able to avoid errors in property characteristics and to explain how the current assessment was derived. I intend to be an advocate to property owners and encourage communication.

b.     Defend appealed assessments at public hearings

                                          i.    When a township generates the number of appeals Grafton Township does, there is an overwhelming disadvantage to those property owners that DO NOT file appeals. That is my number one concern; it is the root of unequal distribution of the tax burden. A property owner should not pay more than their fair share because they did not file an appeal. It is the assessor’s job to establish fair and equitable assessments and represent the township as a whole by defending those uniformed assessments before public hearings.

In my experience as a deputy assessor for Elgin Township, the evidence that is submitted by the property owner does not always warrant a reduction. If a taxpayer provides inadequate evidence, I would defend the assessment with the evidence I have that shaped the assessment initially. To the contrary, if an appeal comes through where the evidence is credible, I would recommend a fair adjustment that remains uniformed with existing assessments of similar properties.

What sets you apart from the other candidate? I am a positive and hardworking professional with strong work ethics who always strives to achieve the highest standard possible. I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University. Press Fleet Management and Event Marketing laid the groundwork to my wide range business experience. As I am certified by the state to serve as Township Assessor, I am currently a knowledgeable Deputy Assessor for Elgin Township, which encumbers 34,000+ parcel (approximately 12,000 more diverse parcels than Grafton Township). I have participated in all aspects of an assessment office and am very familiar with the innumerable dealings of the office on a daily basis. Because of the economic changes and declining market, Grafton Township needs a renewed official to restore fair and equitable assessments within Grafton Township. The current process no longer provides homeowners with the comfort of reliable and equitable assessments without having to take action into their own hands. That needs to change and yesterday won't be soon enough. I am a concerned homeowner who works with assessments every day and wants the opportunity to utilize my experience and qualifications to benefit the township I reside in.  I feel this is a very important election for Grafton Township. I promise to change the current destruction of the valuation process and restore fair and equitable assessments while saving the taxpayers time and money.  Please visit my website at www.restoregraftontownship.com for more information.