Tyson Murphy
Property tax assessments up, but values are not.
I have operated a mortgage company for the past eight years here in Las Cruces. I enjoy working with customers who are buying their first home and borrowers who are refinancing their existing mortgage. Property value is a vital part of the mortgage process. I have seen hundreds of appraisals, and evaluated the market information contained in them.
What is troubling is that in my office I am seeing too many instances where the property assessments are higher than the property’s market value. And despite their property value staying the same or even decreasing, many Doña Ana County residents have had a property assessment increase. This increased assessment, along with an increased tax rate, has left many property owners feeling kicked while they were already down.
The fact is, we have seen housing prices slide as a result of supply balancing out the demand. This has been the biggest influence on property values over the last two years. However, only three or four short years ago property owners saw double digit appreciation in their property value. Many people – such as builder, Deputy County Assessor and Democrat candidate for County Assessor Andy Segovia – benefitted from the housing boom.
We are all, however, in a much different situation now, and it is not acceptable to continue business as usual.
Property assessment calculations are complex, but they should be fair and consistent. They should not be used as a method for raising tax revenue through a slight of hand practices that citizens have no recourse against.
This single issue was my catalyst for entering the race for Doña Ana County assessor. A fair and honest approach to the assessment of property is the responsibility of this office, and this will be my foremost priority. I will commit myself to improving this office by increasing personnel training and support, and introducing modern and up-to-date assessment tools.
Improvements needed
Currently, fewer than half of the offices’ 15 appraisers are certified by the Property Tax Division of the State of New Mexico. Obviously, this situation could directly lead to numerous assessment errors.
I believe that each appraiser should be properly trained in the most current standards of practice to ensure that taxpayers are not unfairly burdened by equally unfair assessments. I will work to maintain a high-level of training so that assessments are accurate and property owners are confident that their property taxes reflect the real value of their homes.
The assessor’s office currently uses assessment software called SIGMA that was developed almost two decades ago. In 2009, the property tax division assessor evaluation asserted that, “Dona Ana has been attempting for several years to convert from SIGMA to Applogix and has not successfully made the switch… and Applogix has ceased operations so the County will need to choose a new vendor.”
According to the 2010 assessor’s evaluation, it was noted that the county is still using the same SIGMA software. In addition, the cost of Applogix was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and was never successfully implemented. The purchase of, and unsuccessful attempts to convert to, Applogix was an enormous waste of taxpayer money. The purchase of Applogix was the decision of the county assessor and his deputy.
Upgrading the assessment software is necessary to improve property assessments. I believe a competitive bid process will reveal the best product at a competitive price.
No more role swapping
I would like to see an end to the practice of role swapping. For instance, the assessor/clerk/treasurer appoints a chief deputy who is expected to seek the office after two terms. The fact that the assessor can appoint anyone he/she chooses as the chief deputy lends to appointing someone who would return the favor. This is nothing more than a plan to circumvent term limits.
I support term limits, and would not accept an appointment to chief deputy assessor. I would appoint the person most qualified to be chief deputy regardless of political affiliation. I believe Mr. Segovia would appoint the current assessor, and his campaign treasurer, Mr. Gary Perez, as his chief deputy.
I believe as Americans we are very trusting, and when our country voted for change in 2008, we expected that change to be good. Unfortunately, many of us are disappointed with that change. Some are outraged, while others don’t care either way.
It is my belief what we all hoped for was improvement. We wanted our elected officials and government employees to improve the system and services. Efficiency should equate to less cost and better service.
For 17 years I have been serving our community as a businessman, civic and service club leader, father of six, and as a husband. I relate to anyone who is frustrated with the way things are, and I am committed to do something to improve it.
Murphy is the Republican candidate for Doña Ana County assessor.