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COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
Island County deserves responsible leadership that protects our communitites supports our familes, and ensures fairness for every taxpayer.
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Senior, Disabled, Disabled Veteterans
Kelly has made expanding access to senior, retired disabled and disabled veteran property tax exemptions a priority during his first term as Island County Assessor. Under his leadership, the office implemented online applications, expanded outreach through senior and community organizations, increased public education efforts, and brought in-person exemption assistance directly to Camano Island.
Kelly also worked with Assessors across Washington through WSACA to support meaningful statewide improvements to the exemption program. He supported legislation expanding eligibility and increasing income thresholds, encouraged local legislators to support the reforms, and helped make exemption modernization a WSACA legislative priority.
This work will remain a top priority moving forward. As a veteran himself, and with senior parents and close friends who are disabled veterans, Kelly understands firsthand how important these programs are to the individuals, families, and communities who rely on them.
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Sustainable Forestry &
Designated Forest Land
Healthy forests are vital to the environmental health, rural character, and long-term sustainability of Island County. During his first term, Kelly has worked to responsibly administer the Designated Forest Land program by supporting responsible forestry practices, protecting working forest lands, and ensuring the program is applied fairly and consistently.
Kelly believes conservation and responsible land stewardship can go hand-in-hand with private property rights and sustainable resource management. His office has worked cooperatively with property owners to help maintain healthy forests, preserve open space, and support the environmental benefits forests provide to wildlife, water quality, and the overall character of our islands. When landowners no longer qualify for the program, the Assessor’s Office works with them professionally and respectfully to help ensure smooth transitions into other appropriate programs, including PBRS when applicable.
Personally, Kelly believes we all share a responsibility to be good stewards of our environment for future generations. He strives to take practical, responsible steps in his own life, like commuting to work in a personally owned electric vehicle, to reduce environmental impacts while supporting balanced, common-sense approaches to sustainability and conservation.
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Fair & Accurate
Property Valuation
Fair and accurate property valuations are the foundation of a fair property tax system. Kelly believes every property owner deserves to know that assessments are conducted professionally, consistently, and based on market evidence — not politics, favoritism, or arbitrary judgment. During his first term, Kelly has focused on improving valuation accuracy, strengthening appraisal standards, enhancing transparency, and ensuring assessments are applied as uniformly as possible across Island County.
Under Kelly’s leadership, the Assessor’s Office implemented clearer procedures, modernized valuation tools, expanded public access to sales and property information, and worked to improve consistency in both residential and land valuations. His goal is simple: treat every property owner fairly while ensuring assessments are accurate, defensible, and understandable to the public.
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Supporting Agriculture & Rural Communities
Agriculture and rural communities are an essential part of Island County’s history, economy, and identity. During his first term, Kelly worked to strengthen relationships with local farmers and agricultural property owners by helping establish Island County’s Farm & Agriculture Advisory Committee — creating a stronger voice for the agricultural community and improving communication between farmers, county government, and the Assessor’s Office.
Kelly believes government works best when it listens to the people directly impacted by its decisions. He has supported fair and consistent administration of agricultural and open space programs while recognizing the importance of preserving working farms, protecting rural character, and supporting the long-term viability of agriculture in Island County. His approach focuses on practical problem-solving, collaboration, and responsible stewardship of the lands that help define our community.
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