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WHY RE-ELECT KELLY?
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Accomplishments
During my first term as Island County Assessor, I have focused on delivering measurable results through fairness, accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. Our office has significantly improved valuation accuracy and consistency, reduced Board of Equalization appeals by more than 65%, modernized internal systems and land value tables, increased appraiser training and professional standards, and expanded taxpayer access and transparency tools. We have consistently operated under budget, reduced unnecessary staffing costs, and created efficiencies that save taxpayer dollars countywide. I also worked closely with Assessors across Washington State to improve uniformity and successfully challenged and corrected significant tax issues that returned millions of dollars to Island County taxpayers. While I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, I remain committed to continuing to improve the Assessor’s Office and the service we provide to the public.
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Fairness & Equity
Fundamental fairness and equity are critical when discussing the distribution of the property tax burden. While the Island County Assessor does not set tax rates or collect property taxes, assessed property values form the foundation upon which those taxes are determined. Because Island County contains a wide variety of unique properties with differing characteristics, achieving accurate and uniform valuations is both essential and challenging. This is why it is so important to utilize all available market data, property information, and taxpayer feedback when determining value.
During my first term, the Assessor’s Office made significant progress improving assessment uniformity and equity throughout the county. One important measure of fairness in mass appraisal is called the Price Related Differential (PRD), which helps measure whether properties at different value ranges are being assessed consistently and equitably. During my tenure, Island County’s PRD improved substantially from approximately 1.40 to approximately 1.20, reflecting meaningful progress toward more fair and uniform assessments across all property types.
My commitment is to ensure assessments are fair, accurate, transparent, and applied as uniformly as possible across all property types throughout Island County.
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Proven Leadership
Effective leadership requires more than technical knowledge — it requires vision, accountability, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Drawing on more than 20 years of management and leadership experience, Kelly has focused on building a professional, service-oriented Assessor’s Office centered on fairness, transparency, accuracy, and accountability. During his first term, he implemented clearer standards and procedures, increased appraiser training and professional development, modernized office operations, and worked to provide staff with the tools and support necessary to succeed.
Kelly believes strong leadership means setting high standards, supporting employees, listening to taxpayers, and continually looking for ways to improve service to the citizens of Island County.
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