Curry assessor makes plans for 'easier' process

Editor's note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Sam Kelley was appointed Curry County assessor late last year following the abrupt resignation of Randa Jesko.

Q: What are your plans now that you're county assessor? Are changes coming?

A: My immediate plans are to take the greatest office staff I've ever worked with and have them recognized throughout the state.

As far as local changes, we are always looking for ways to make the process easier for property owners, such as a new procedure for reporting livestock that we hope will be streamlined and less burdensome on our ranchers and dairy owners.

Changes ordered by the state are a constant but we do the best we can to make them mesh with our duty to the citizens of Curry County.

Q: What does a county assessor do? What are the qualifications?

A: I oversee the valuation of all property in Curry County. From condos to llamas and mobile homes to McMansions. My qualifications for the job were years spent working in the office as an appraiser, understanding codes and statutes, being a listener and effectively communicating with commissioners and citizens.

Q: How does this position differ from your previous position as county appraiser?

A: The job of appraiser was highly technical and focused on one property or parcel at a time. The assessor oversees the big picture. My experiences have made the assessor a better fit.

When my wife Tanya and I lived on Okinawa, I dealt with generals to admirals and colonels to commanders. One day I might have the master chief petty officer of an aircraft carrier in my office and the next a Navy Seal.

As assessor I deal with commissioners and attorneys, bankers and Realtors, first-time home owners and owners of huge dairies.

Every day is different but helping the people of Curry County is its own reward.

Q: What are some real estate trends you have noticed in the county? Anything exciting or unusual?

A: The housing market has cooled somewhat but we still have a shortage of housing, which presents challenges.

But our civic leaders have done a fantastic job of working with various entities, including the Air Force, to see that housing is being built at a rapid pace in support of the warriors and patriots in our community.

The exciting part is the more we grow the more businesses and opportunities we attract...

Q: Do you plan to run for the county assessor position when elections are held later this year?

A: Helping the citizens and property owners of Curry County is so satisfying that I will of course run for office.

• Compiled by Madison Willis, the Staff of the News.