Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

Name: James DeMio

Age: 46

Residence: Tampa

Occupation: No response given

Political affiliation: registered Democrat running independent

Political experience: 3 Term Democratic Precinct Committee

Office being sought: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

 

Why are you running for this office?

I am running for Property Appraiser in Hillsborough because I have the 20 year experience in real estate that this office demands, rather than a typical politician’s agenda.

 

What are your top three priorities?

1. Lower taxes on homeowners and small business owners of property by using all methods of appraisal, including income approach to appraise property, when practical to apply. Lower expenses & balance budget by streamlining financial, purchasing, payroll are also important.

2. Educate homeowners & other property owners on homestead, portability, appeals process of assessments. Assist in retroactive recovery of erroneous property taxes paid. Advocate laws/policy that support homeownership & benefits small business owners. Correct errors in the public record in square footage, assessed amounts.

3. Ensure corporate owners of property are paying fair share of property taxes; national banks and big box properties with real estate across Hillsborough, Florida & USA. Appeals by corporate lobbyist will be done in ‘Sunshine.’

 

Why should voters choose you?

Voters should vote for my candidacy because I have 20 years in the Property / Real Estate Industry – Public & Private Sectors, and the education; Bachelors Degree, Ohio State University, 1989: Major, Business Finance, Licensed Realtor, State of Florida, 2003.

 

What qualifications do you bring to the job?

The following elaborates on my background:

1. Realtor/Broker, 10 years: – 2003 to present, residential, commercial & investor representation of local, US and international clients in sale & purchase of millions of dollars in property: single family residential homes, retail, office, hotel, apartment, land, multi-family properties. Clients form Canada, Europe and Latin America, Asia. I was a Realtor @ Markell & Assc, Century 21 & am now the Broker/Owner of Florida Property International. I have managed various commercial and residential properties for 20 years.

2. I worked at a Real Estate related court 10 years: Jurisdiction over housing, building & zoning codes and landlord/tenant laws. Enforcing local, state and federal laws. I testified on about 1,000 case during the years at this court. As a Court Administrator, I balanced a multi-million budget, payroll and purchasing each year for all 10 years. 40 employees.

3. Foreclosure litigation, Hillsborough County Court, Pro Se defeating largest bank in the US. Protecting my own homestead via self representation in a case that lasted 1.5 years. I have represented clients in short sales, assisted them in avoiding foreclosure. I have represented taxpayers in Hillsborough County, providing tax preparation for businesses and individuals in federal, state and local taxes.

 

Name: Robert “Bob” Henriquez

Age: 47

Residence: Tampa

Occupation: founding partner, Henriquez Consulting

Political affiliation: Democrat

Political experience: Florida House of Representatives, District 58 (1998 – 2006)

Office being sought: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

 

Why are you running for this office?

I am running for Hillsborough County Property Appraiser because I care deeply about my community and its residents. My proven leadership abilities and passion for community service were recognized when I was appointed as a circuit administrator for the Department of Children and Family Services. This capability to fairly oversee hundreds of employees and manage a multi-million dollar budget has uniquely prepared me to serve in the capacity of Hillsborough Property Appraiser.

 

What are your top three priorities?

Ensuring the economic viability of the housing market, updating antiquated technologies and upholding the honor and integrity of the office. In order to ensure the economic viability of the housing market in Hillsborough, it will be important for the holder of Property Appraiser’s office to ensure fairness and integrity in the property assessment process. In addition, there will be a need to update antiquated technologies, like the Property Appraiser’s website, to streamline the assessment process for homeowners and realtors.

 

Why should voters choose you?

If I am elected by the citizens of Hillsborough County to be their next Property Appraiser, I will rethink, reinvent and revitalize this office. As a lifelong resident of Hillsborough County, I have been blessed with a long career in public service, growth management and community planning. During my eight years in the Florida Legislature, I fought for common sense solutions to the challenges facing Florida’s families. My career in the private sector, and my time in community service, has shown me that true leaders must respect all sides of the debate and draw on the insight of their community.

 

What qualifications do you bring to the job?

I have eleven years experience as a Senior Planner with Hillsborough County Planning and Growth Management and the Planning Commission where I served as the Damage Assessment Coordinator and Intergovernmental Liaison to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. I was the Government Affairs Coordinator for the Builder’s Association of Greater Tampa and worked for Atwell-Hicks Development Consultants as a Project/Business Development Coordinator and also served as a Special Hearing Master for Hillsborough County for Land Use disputes. As a 4-term Florida State Representative, I served on the Ethics and Elections, Growth Management, Health Care Regulation, State Infrastructure and Utilities and Telecommunications committees. My leadership abilities were recognized when I was appointed as circuit administrator for the Department of Children and Family Services. The capability to fairly and competently oversee hundreds of employees and manage a multi-million dollar budget has uniquely prepared me to serve as Hillsborough County Property Appraiser.

 

Name: Rob Townsend

Age: 53

Residence: Thonotosassa

Occupation: generation technician specialist/farming and citrus production

Political affiliation: no party affiliation

Political experience: 2008 candidate for Hillsborough Property Appraiser

Office being sought: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

 

Why are you running for this office?

I am running for this office because I am concerned for my children, grandchildren, and the future generations of Hillsborough County citizens. If current policies and trends continue, there will be no property rights remaining. I intend to use this constitutional office to challenge unconstitutional laws and policies of the current tax system, to represent the people before interests or agendas. I want to uphold the oath of the office to appraise property solely on the Florida Constitution with respectful and courteous service at all times.

 

What are your top three priorities?

1. The support of the DROP Program through property taxes is a huge travesty. I will lobby for a 16 member board to direct the State of Florida retirement monies, so a catastrophe such as the bankruptcy of Enron and Leehman Brothers will not reoccur.

2. Currently case law determines the outcome of VAB magistrate and local court challenges of zealous assessments.  Property appraisers can challenge laws and policies to the Florida Supreme Court based on the Florida Constitution.

3. When the property taxes and insurance are more than the principal payment of the home, something is wrong. I would make fair and steady assessments based on actual value, not overheated markets or housing bubbles.

 

Why should voters choose you?`

Being a lifelong resident of Hillsborough, I understand and represent the values of the hardworking people of this county. I conduct myself with high ethical standards, with morals values, and can be considered a man always willing to stand up for what I believe is right. I am not afraid to challenge the system or status quo. I have a loving family which consists of my wife Cathy Townsend, two sons, two daughters (Ryan Townsend, Trey Ennis, Jean Ann McDonald, Jamee Townsend), two granddaughters and three grandsons. Being a family man, I am supportive of family values in our county.

 

What qualifications do you bring to the job?

I understand the importance of green belt to agriculture and property rights, and will be able to administer a fair program for all. I understand the 1968 Florida Constitution, in respect to the two Department of Revenue schedules (i.e. business and agriculture). I understand the importance of small businesses and manufacturing to the local economy. I believe in an open office with a return to sunshine, and I also believe that my life experiences will enable me to manage this office efficiently.

 

Name: Rob Turner

Age: 60

Residence: Tampa

Occupation: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

Political affiliation: Republican

Political experience: elected Property Appraiser in 1996, re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2008

Office being sought: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

 

Why are you running for this office?

I am running for re-election as property appraiser to continue my leadership and management of this outstanding local government office. The property appraiser’s office is a vital component of our community as it affects tax and revenue issues for every resident. The office requires a leader with the qualifications of appraisal expertise and experience, as well as the leadership for effective management. Any candidate without extensive qualifications of appraisal and management is just someone looking for a job. My management expertise has saved the taxpayers in excess of $15 million by our cost initiatives and technology advances.

 

What are your top three priorities?

1. Fair and equitable assessments. Given the state of our economy, it is even a greater challenge to insure a thorough analysis of market transactions. This requires advanced education and expertise. I have provided advanced training for my staff and myself.

2. Fiscal focus. County agencies has a responsibility to manage their budget to provide the most cost effective service. For the 16 years I have been in office, we have had a constant focus of finding ways to meet our duties in a way that is better, faster and cheaper.

3. Educating the public. Florida’s property tax laws are unique, complex and change constantly. Since I was first elected in 1996, I have conducted 85 property tax workshops per year to educate interested groups. In November, there will be five property tax amendments on the ballot. I will meet morning, noon and night to help people understand these amendments.

 

Why should voters choose you?

I have a 16-year record of leadership, competency and expertise as property appraiser. This office is a model of efficiency and effectiveness in managing our duties in a fair, equitable, fiscally responsible and customer service manner. That record was caused by my knowledge, skills and abilities and the development of an outstanding staff. The office requires a leader with specific qualifications, and I have the qualifications, expertise, experience and outstanding record of real accomplishments to continue to improve this office in the best interest of the residents of Hillsborough County.

 

What qualifications do you bring to the job?

First real estate license in 1969

BS in business administration from School of Bank Management University of Virginia

State certified general real estate appraiser #RZ2016 since 1994

Senior vice present in real estate banking with 23 years of banking experience

Certified Florida Appraiser since 1998

Recommended by former state Senate president Tom Lee and appointed by then Gov. Jeb Bush to the 2006 Property Tax Reform Commission

Elected as the 2013 President of the International Association of Assessing Officers