Dear editor:

In response to the letter to the editor from Bob Ferguson, Feb. 11, I would like to clarify some inaccurate comments he made about me in my role as county assessor.

I did stand up for the taxpayer. Every year, I have reached out to veterans, calling and sending them reminder letters to sign up for their veteran’s exemption. I advocated for eliminating personal property taxes on small businesses. I have always stayed as conservative as possible in complying with the State Board of Equalization and Department of Revenue audit requirements, keeping values as low as legally possible. I, with the help of my first deputy, researched and promoted the idea of tax caps as applied in Arizona. The details of that proposal are available on the Wyoming Voter Initiative website. I also advocated for rolling property taxes back to 2019 levels.

I do admit to one mistake. It has been pointed out as the reason property taxes skyrocketed. I spoke against tax caps at a time when they could not have been applied equally. Not long after, the pandemic led to outrageous sales prices and property values. There is no precedent for such a shock to the housing market. This resulted in exaggerated expectations of a county assessor’s influence with legislators.

Had I advocated for tax caps, the assessor’s association would have spoken against it, just as they spoke against other tax relief I promoted. It is impossible to determine, but I believe that it would have made no difference. Assessors’ voices are heard, as is any citizen, but it is ultimately up to legislators to legislate.

The job of the assessor in Wyoming is to locate, identify and value the taxable property in the county. We are to strictly follow the Constitution, state statutes and Department of Revenue rules and comply with State Board of Equalization requirements.

If the assessor were to undervalue property, which is a common promise made by potential candidates, the State Board of Equalization would equalize. In other words, they would step in and value property at its full market value and taxpayers would lose their right to appeal.

There is no partisanship in the job description of the assessor. The assessor may have values that align with a certain party. However, those cannot override the assessor’s oath to follow the Wyoming Constitution and statutes.

I recognize that incumbents and anyone associated with incumbents are often held to blame for whatever it is we don’t like, such as high property taxes. It is true that I was unable to control property tax increases. It is important to be truthful about the powers of the assessor and acknowledge that the power to change taxes lies with primarily state legislators. I have supported and encouraged their efforts and encourage every taxpayer to do the same.

Pat Meyer

Retired Park County assessor

Cody