Drafter
Clerk 06/22/2009
Title
A MOTION establishing the process for appointing a county assessor.
Body
WHEREAS, the King County council is committed to principles of good government and the transparency of its proceedings, and
WHEREAS, fair and accurate property assessment is the cornerstone of King County's property tax system, and
WHEREAS, the King County assessor has resigned from the assessor's elected office, and
WHEREAS, the King County council has a duty under the county charter to fill the resulting vacancy in the office of assessor by appointment of an individual to serve as assessor until the assessor's successor is elected and qualified in the November 2009 general election, and
WHEREAS, it will be important for an appointed county assessor to focus on the operation of the department of assessments, rather than on the demands of campaigning for office;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. In order to preserve public confidence in the process for selecting a county assessor, a selection committee is hereby established for the purpose of reviewing eligible candidates. The committee shall establish an expedited process that will facilitate prompt appointment of an assessor. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
B.1. The appointed members of the committee are:
a. Will Ibershof, Mayor of Duvall, representative from the Suburban Cities Association;
b. Jim Dierst, a member of the Seattle King County Association of REALTORS;
c. Noel Treat, chief of staff to the county executive; and
d. Tom Bristow, chief of staff to the county council.
2. The four members of the committee appointed in accordance with subsection B.1. of this motion shall select a fifth member of the committee and shall appoint a chair.
C. The county council will issue a press release on the day this motion is adopted, inviting persons interested in serving as assessor to submit to the clerk of the council, by noon on July 6, 2009, a written statement of interest and the following documents
1. A resume, including the candidate's address, phone number, and email address;
2. Three references with contact information;
3. Other supporting documentation, if any; and
4. Answers to the following questions:
a. What are the duties of the King County assessor as you understand them?
b. What do you consider the most important qualifications of an excellent county assessor, and why?
c. What are your qualifications for serving as county assessor?
d. Do you intend to run for the office of King County assessor in the November 2009 general election?
e. Why are you interested in this temporary appointment?
D. The documents described in subsection C. of this motion ("application materials") may be submitted by email, but in any event must be received by noon on July 6, 2009. No later than July 7, 2009, the clerk of the council shall assemble and forward the candidates' application materials to all councilmembers and to the selection committee.
F. No later than noon on July 10, 2009, the selection committee shall meet to review candidates. The chair of the council shall schedule the meeting of the committee after consultation with the committee co-chairs.
G. Evaluation criteria for the selection committee shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Demonstrated leadership skills;
2. Appropriate education, training, and experience;
3. Demonstrated proficiency in problem solving, interpreting statutory and regulatory requirements, conducting good public relations, and maintaining effective group and interpersonal relationships;
4. Demonstrated ability to respond to public concerns about the policies and practices of the county department of assessments, including, but not limited to, meeting with taxpayer groups, officials, individuals and attorneys to discuss assessment practices and issues, and to ensure that taxpayers' concerns are reviewed and addressed;
5 A commitment to maintaining the functions and structure of the county department of assessments without disruption during the election of a new county assessor; and
6. A commitment to the immediate business of the county department of assessments that would make it unlikely that the appointee would run for any elective office while serving as appointed assessor.
H. No later than noon on July 10, 2009, the selection committee shall provide to the chair of the county council a list of two to five recommended candidates and observations about the strengths of each. The committee's recommendations shall not
limit the council's authority under the King County Charter to appoint any citizen meeting the qualifications for office.