Candidate for Logan County Supervisor of Assessments sought

 

[June 16, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

On Tuesday, June 12, the Logan County Board’s Finance Committee held its monthly meeting. One focus of discussion was the supervisor of assessment’s position that recently opened since Denise Martinek is not seeking reappointment.

A few people recently took the Assessor’s Test offered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, but no one passed.

Board Chairman Chuck Ruben said there a list at the state level of people who have already passed the test and would be eligible for the position.

County Board Administrative Assistant Amy Kuhlman said a couple of people who have passed the test have called to express interest in the position.

An advertisement for the position is posted http://archives.lincolndailynews. com/2018/Jun/15/classifieds/ employment.shtml 

Finance Committee Chairman David Hepler said the advertisement mentions the position needs to be filled by August 1. There can be an interim assessor for 60 days who is not state qualified.

Ruben said Martinek could be reappointed as the interim for that 60-day period, but if she was appointed for that 60-day period, it would be a “break in service.” If for some reason nobody applied, Martinek would have to go back and take the test to be eligible to be assessor. He said advertising the position will hopefully head off that problem.

Ruben said as another option, Martinek could be reappointed with the understanding that the board is looking, and she would agree to step down when someone is found. That way, she would keep her certificate.

Logan County Zoning Officer Will D’Andrea said the board should keep in mind that in terms of the Geographical Information System, Martinek was able to pre-layout the parcel splits before they are sent to Bruce Harris for GIS mapping.

D’Andrea feels there should be some interim plan to keep that database running. He said for assessor qualifications, it would be helpful to have someone who has a (GIS) related background, or knowledge, or is otherwise willing to maintain the database.

Board member Emily Davenport said GIS classes are offered by the Department of Revenue for free, so someone coming in could take them if needed.

Ruben said the advertisement for the position should be posted immediately, so the board can start interviews as soon as possible and they can at least have someone in mind for the position by the July 10 Finance Committee meeting. The Illinois Property Assessment website will also have the position posted. Ruben said they can get a list of qualified people from the Department of Revenue.

Ruben said the board could have a special workshop to do the interviews. The interviews will be done Thursday, June 28, so applications would need to be in by Monday, June 25. The board will decide who to appoint as supervisor of assessments after they have interviewed all the candidates.

You can contact the Logan County Board Office at 217-732-6400 or email [e-mail]

[Angela Reiners]