Jake Parkinson - Challenges of Elected vs. Appointed Assessors

In this episode, Jake Parkinson, former assessor of Tooele, Utah, discusses his career transition from fee appraisal to mass appraisal, highlighting the challenges of running for elected assessor positions. He compares the pros and cons of elected versus appointed assessors, emphasizing the independence of elected officials but the difficulty of raising funds and public support. Parkinson details the shift from market-adjusted cost models to market-based models, noting the benefits of improved equity and reduced subjectivity. He also addresses the challenges of retaining talent in the assessing industry and offers advice for new assessors, advocating for collaboration and continuous learning.

We cover:

• Introduction and Conference Context 0:01
• Jake's Career Path to Assessor 1:43
• Challenges of Elected vs. Appointed Assessors 4:26
• Market-Adjusted Cost Methodology 10:10
• Transition to Market-Based Models 18:41
• Joining Value Base and Industry Challenges 21:06
• Advice for New Assessors 25:23