Aug 14, 2008 7:42 pm US/Eastern
Challenger Runs Against Broward Property Appraiser
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
What's your property worth? It's a question for many of us who have assessments arriving in the mail this time of year. In Broward County a powerful incumbent faces off against a little-known challenger for the job of Broward Property Appraiser, and more than a few political sparks are flying.
Few people think about this elected post, until a property assessment has us grumbling about a pocketbook issue that ultimately affects all of us. Broward property Appraiser Lori Parrish remembers the office she arrived in nearly four years ago.
"I campaigned and said I would take them to the 21st century and got here in 2005, and said oh no, I had to take them to the 20th before moving on to the 21st," said Parrish.
Parrish, a longtime Broward Commissioner, traded in the old indexed paper files for computers--and says re-organization uncovered huge chunks of properties missing from broward tax rolls for decades.
"In three and a half years, about $3 billion."
Parrish says the goal is to listen and respond to every question or dispute about a property's value, which of course affects your final tax bill.
"I believe I've proven I've simplified the job, automated it, and provided more information to taxpayers and property owners," she said.
Parrish's chief critic is her current opponent Sara Truini. Truini worked in the appraiser's office for years until Parrish supported her firing a few years ago.
"She spoke about dress code violations which didn't exist," said Truini.
The appraiser's office says dress code violations, combined with other job related issues, led to Truini's dismissal—claims Truini strongly disputes. That history aside, Truini maintains she has the expertise for the top appraiser's job.
"What I would like to do different is show the downturn of the real estate market in the assessment of properties," said Truini.
Parrish argues that work is already being done, and after more than two decades in public office, she's not planning on leaving any time soon.
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