Cheyenne Johnson for Assessor 2008

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Welcome to my Web site!

I’m running for Shelby County Assessor of Property to continue the progress we have made over the past twelve years and build on a proven foundation of establishing fair and equitable property values.

The current Assessor, Rita Clark is not seeking reelection and is endorsing my candidacy. It was with her urging and support, along with my family and many friends, that I have made the decision to seek this office.

I have worked in the Assessor’s Office for the past twenty years, serving as Chief Administrative Officer for the past ten. Having worked in every department and at every level of management, I fully understand the complex nature of this important job and have experience in the completion of five successful countywide Reappraisals.

Consistency is extremely important in the Assessor’s Office, and we are now well along in our plan to complete the 2009 Reappraisal in a seamless transition from this administration to the next. The Assessor is responsible for appraising all property at fair market value, and the timing has never been more critical.

I appreciate your interest and I ask for your vote on August 7, 2008.

Sincerely,

Cheyenne Johnson

Reappraisal 2009	The 2009 Reappraisal is more vital than ever to Shelby County. Never has a reappraisal been more critical than now. The current volatile market conditions demand that the Assessor integrate current market trends with historically sound methods in order to make responsible decisions that will reflect fair market value for all 350,000 real estate parcels in Shelby County. The county generates more than 60% of its revenue from the Assessor’s values. Shelby County is on a four-year reappraisal cycle, and work is well underway for the successful completion of the 2009 Reappraisal to produce the Certified Roll to the taxing authorities in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Memphis, Millington and Shelby County Government by the state-mandated deadline of April 20, 2009. With this critical due date upon us, we must continue the work that began three years ago with the same plan that was approved by the State of Tennessee. I can provide a seamless transition from this administration to the next and ensure that we fulfill our obligation to property owners to complete 2009 on time and on budget. Focus groups have been developed to address current market conditions and will be factored into our reappraisal process.
Advanced Technology	The current administration has put Shelby County on the leading edge of advanced technology and is recognized as a model for other county assessors throughout the state. Our efforts have been featured in national and international publications, with precise photos and charts showing how we continue to blend new technologies with our base system to offer the most accurate data possible, reducing time-consuming and costly field visits. To assist our team of skilled and professionally trained appraisal staff, we employ a Computer-Assisted-Mass-Appraisal (CAMA) system to help value the 350,000 real estate parcels in Shelby County. We continue to enhance our CAMA system with sophisticated technology such as our Geographic Information System (GIS), an advanced interactive mapping tool and the highly developed oblique images that allow our appraisers to get more accurate measurements from their workstations, eliminating all but the specific, essential site visits. By our ongoing efforts to integrate the newest technology, we are able to complete our market analyses with increasing speed and accuracy for the more than 1,600 residential neighborhoods in Shelby County.
Fiscal Responsibility	Every facet of our operation has been fine-tuned to provide ultimate product and service at the least possible cost. Understanding Shelby County’s current budget crisis, I will continue to streamline operations by utilizing technology to reduce costs across the board. We are also working with the Mayor’s administration and the County Commission to find new ways to reduce our budget and help solve a fiscal crisis that affects us all.
Service Standards	Excellent customer service is one of the cornerstones of this administration, and we have received many accolades for our efforts to provide taxpayers with the information they need to make informed decisions as well as their rights and responsibilities as property owners. The Assessor’s Web site has proven to be an outstanding resource for real estate information. With more than 15,000 daily visitors, it is one of Shelby County’s most popular sites and provides 24/7 access to reappraisal and sales information, allowing property owners to request Informal Reviews and to file business Personal Property Schedules online. Since it’s beginning in 1998, The Assessor’s Web site has evolved to incorporate new functionality designed to provide all the elements of the reappraisal process. There is even a calculator for computing taxes. Plans are underway to expand our GIS mapping features to allow for more analytical property searches within specific geographic areas. Additionally, our Community Outreach team visits more than 500 neighborhood, church, civic, school, and professional groups throughout the community every year. We not only answer their calls for help, but also initiate contact where we believe there is a need.
Property Tax Relief	For more than two decades the Assessor’s Office has been at the forefront of tax relief for senior citizens. Working both with individuals and groups, we have written and driven to Nashville to increase awareness among our legislators the need for increased relief for the people who have contributed so much to our growth. Now we should show our respect and appreciation by giving them a break in a county that is increasingly reliant on property taxes. While state law requires the Assessor to value property at fair market value, regardless of the owners’ ability to pay, new legislation will reduce their burden through tax relief and Homestead Exemptions. In the Assessor’s Office and through our Community Outreach program, we see firsthand how seniors struggle to pay their taxes. I will continue to support efforts to help this deserving segment of our community.

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