by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The race to become Duval County property appraiser has been void of highly touted endorsements and publicity compared to other races on the spring ballot.
Many candidates in the other races are frequently seen attending and campaigning at meetings, events and gatherings around town, sporting campaign buttons and announcing their names and the offices they seek.
The property appraiser candidates don’t seem to be as visible.
With higher profile races on the ballot, the property appraiser’s contest is harder to draw attention, said incumbent Property Appraiser Jim Overton.
Overton, a former City Council president and property appraiser since 2003, and Kurt Kraft, a longtime real estate appraiser within the office, are vying for the position to lead the City office charged with assessing market value on property for tax purposes.
While forums haven’t been as frequent, Overton and Kraft debated before members of the First Coast Tiger Bay Club, a political group.
Overton called it a cordial exchange and noted that while endorsements haven’t been as mainstream, he said he has been informed that he’s been endorsed by the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, the Florida Association of Realtors, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters.
He believes two other organizations, the Northeast Florida Builders Association and JaxBiz, the political affiliate of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, will eventually endorse him.
“We’re doing a good job,” said Overton. “We’re one of the top appraisal shops in the state.”
Overton cites a couple of consumer polls that approve of the office’s clarity and helpfulness while operating at a “more with less” approach and implementing technology to further streamline functions.
“It’s working. There’s no reason to change management at this time,” he said.
Kraft, his opponent, believes there is reason for change and is running on the “Eight is Enough” platform, referring to term limits for City Council and mayor.
“I think that (an eight-year term limit) speaks volumes,” said Kraft. “In my opinion, it’s time to move forward and for the citizens of Duval County to take back their office.”
Kraft said tax inequities abound in the county that have led to people paying more in property taxes than they should and led to massive numbers of appeals to the Value Adjustment Board, a City regulatory board that reviews such appeals.
“Some people aren’t paying the proper taxes on their property ... and I think people recognize it’s not fair,” said Kraft.
Overton said the tremendous increase in board appeals has been the result of declining home prices in the economic downturn.
While Overton said he copies the best practices of other municipalities, numerous others are copying Duval’s.
Fiscal analysis, he said, along with high marks from customers show the office is succeeding and he contends that is the reason constituents should retain him for the job.
Kraft believes voters will respond and understand the need for the term limit and his pledge to fix inequities in an efficient and transparent manner.
356-2466