For the first time in 30 years, we are faced with naming a new Santa Clara County assessor. Four candidates are vying for assessor in the Nov. 4 special election.
Someone overseeing the property tax assessment roll should have more than financial acumen – objectivity, integrity and people skills are all part of being a good assessor.
Larry Stone’s longevity in the office was a testament to his effectiveness. Stone, who announced his retirement June 23, left the office July 6, triggering the special election.
Candidates Yan Zhao, Bryan Do and Rishi Kumar are all competent people with strong tech backgrounds and leadership skills.
But only one candidate deserves the Town Crier’s recommendation: Neysa Fligor.
The Los Altos vice mayor has the clear edge because she works in the assessor’s office. As an attorney, she has provided the office legal counsel for years.
Opponents criticize the department for dated technology, but Fligor is already overseeing a solution: Replacement of a 40-year-old accounting system with one that will bring assessor’s office technology into the 21st century.
Fligor has been endorsed by none other than Stone himself, as well as the trustworthy former county supervisor Joe Simitian.
“After 30 years as assessor, no one knows better than I do what the job entails – and what kind of person is best suited for it,” Stone said. “Neysa is without doubt that person. Neysa has a unique combination of management experience, leadership acumen, people skills, assessor knowledge and political moxie to be the next assessor.”
Added Simitian: “She is the most qualified and best candidate for this job.”
The other candidates, if elected, would have to earn an appraiser’s certificate. While candidates are not required to hold appraiser’s certificates, they must apply for a temporary appraiser’s certificate with the Board of Equalization within 30 days of taking office.
Fligor already has her appraiser’s certificate. That’s one less hurdle for her to assume office. She can get right down to business.
Voters have a clear choice for county assessor in the Nov. 4 special election: Neysa Fligor.
