The race for Hernando property appraiser features incumbent John Emerson, who was elected to the job in 2012 and has worked in the office since 1988, and an opponent from the private sector. Jeff Huffman is a licensed appraiser who previously worked for a nationwide company and since 2014 has run his own Brooksville appraisal company.
About the job: The property appraiser is responsible for determining the value of property in the county for taxing purposes and processing and reviewing applications for exemptions. Funding for the Property Appraiser's Office is based on a formula of ad valorem property taxes assessed by the county and other taxing agencies. The budget for the Property Appraiser's Office is approved by the Florida Department of Revenue. The property appraiser serves a four-year term. The annual salary is $126,191.
John Emerson
Party:
Republican
Republican
Profession:
County property appraiser
County property appraiser
About the candidate:
Emerson, 67, is a lifelong resident of Hernando County who has worked in the office since 1988 and was first elected in 2012.
Emerson, 67, is a lifelong resident of Hernando County who has worked in the office since 1988 and was first elected in 2012.
Education:
Graduated from Hernando High School; received state certifications as a real estate broker and a general property appraiser
Graduated from Hernando High School; received state certifications as a real estate broker and a general property appraiser
Why have you chosen to run for this position?
"Re-election."
"Re-election."
Why do you think you are the best-qualified candidate?
"I have over 40 years in the real estate appraisal field and owned a real estate appraisal office before coming to work for the Hernando County Property Appraiser's Office in 1988. I am a Florida real estate broker as well as a state-certified general appraiser.
"I have over 40 years in the real estate appraisal field and owned a real estate appraisal office before coming to work for the Hernando County Property Appraiser's Office in 1988. I am a Florida real estate broker as well as a state-certified general appraiser.
Describe the basics of your platform.:
"I will continue to look for ways to reduce costs that will incorporate mandates by the state, technology, operations management, effective use of staff and to continue, as this office's motto has always been, to serve and assess with fairness."
"I will continue to look for ways to reduce costs that will incorporate mandates by the state, technology, operations management, effective use of staff and to continue, as this office's motto has always been, to serve and assess with fairness."
What specific actions or technological upgrades could make the office more efficient?
"We are developing our new (computer-assisted mass appraisal system). I am very proud of this project and what it means to all of us in saving tax dollars in development costs and saving future programming and license maintenance costs."
"We are developing our new (computer-assisted mass appraisal system). I am very proud of this project and what it means to all of us in saving tax dollars in development costs and saving future programming and license maintenance costs."
Assets/liabilities/ income:
Assets: Home and other property, savings Liabilities: Mortgage Income:$127,594, plus Social Security
Assets: Home and other property, savings Liabilities: Mortgage Income:$127,594, plus Social Security
Personal:
Home: Brooksville. Married with three adult children and three grandchildren.
Home: Brooksville. Married with three adult children and three grandchildren.
Campaign fundraising:
Contributions: $ 9,640 Expenditures: $335
Contributions: $ 9,640 Expenditures: $335
On the web:
Email: Jemerso2@tampabay.rr.com
Email: Jemerso2@tampabay.rr.com
Jeff Huffman
Party:
Democrat
Democrat
Profession:
Owner of appraisal company
Owner of appraisal company
About the candidate:
Huffman, 50, is the owner of an appraisal company in Brooksville, Appraise It Florida, and previously worked as a statewide manger of a national appraisal firm.
Huffman, 50, is the owner of an appraisal company in Brooksville, Appraise It Florida, and previously worked as a statewide manger of a national appraisal firm.
Education:
Graduated from Leto High School in Tampa; studied business at the University of South Florida, but did not receive a degree; state-certified residential appraiser
Graduated from Leto High School in Tampa; studied business at the University of South Florida, but did not receive a degree; state-certified residential appraiser
Why have you chosen to run for this position?
"I have the experience and knowledge to run an office such as the Hernando County property appraiser operation. I like helping people and love talking about real estate. It's a position that fits my personality."
"I have the experience and knowledge to run an office such as the Hernando County property appraiser operation. I like helping people and love talking about real estate. It's a position that fits my personality."
Why do you think you are the best-qualified candidate?
"My perspective is different, as I have been a small business owner and I have worked in a large corporation all within the appraisal industry, so I've seen both sides of the coin. I believe I'm in touch with what the residents of Hernando County want. Government should always help and be on their side."
"My perspective is different, as I have been a small business owner and I have worked in a large corporation all within the appraisal industry, so I've seen both sides of the coin. I believe I'm in touch with what the residents of Hernando County want. Government should always help and be on their side."
Describe the basics of your platform.:
"The Property Appraiser's Office is a position for the people, and it needs to be responsible to the people by making things transparent, efficient and fair. ... The office needs to be held accountable to the people with a high regard to customer service, as we are here to serve the people of Hernando County."
"The Property Appraiser's Office is a position for the people, and it needs to be responsible to the people by making things transparent, efficient and fair. ... The office needs to be held accountable to the people with a high regard to customer service, as we are here to serve the people of Hernando County."
What specific actions or technological upgrades could make the office more efficient?
"The website is our portal and communication tool to our residents, and it needs to be more user-friendly and data-enriched for our residents. ... One of the big expenses the property appraiser has is the vehicle cost. I want to look at hybrid vehicles as a possibility of savings taxpayer money."
"The website is our portal and communication tool to our residents, and it needs to be more user-friendly and data-enriched for our residents. ... One of the big expenses the property appraiser has is the vehicle cost. I want to look at hybrid vehicles as a possibility of savings taxpayer money."
Assets/liabilities/ income:
Assets: Home, retirement and college funds. Liabilities: Mortgages Income: $47,394, including IRA distributions
Assets: Home, retirement and college funds. Liabilities: Mortgages Income: $47,394, including IRA distributions
Personal:
Home: Brooksville. Married with three children.
Home: Brooksville. Married with three children.
Campaign fundraising:
Contributions: $3,434 Expenditures: $3,173
Contributions: $3,434 Expenditures: $3,173
On the web:
Facebook: Jeff Huffman for Property Appraiser
Facebook: Jeff Huffman for Property Appraiser