Herald recommends: Charles Hackney for Manatee County property appraiser in GOP primary
For more than two decades, Charles Hackney has served the county as a lightning rod for upset, bewildered and even demonstrably angry taxpayers who dispute the validity of their property appraisals. As a constitutional officer, the county property appraiser must follow state law to the letter, or answer for any transgression.
Property owner discontent with appraisals are misdirected toward a county officer when the blame properly belongs on state law. In politics, that matters not. Hackney’s opponent in the Republican primary for the post, Chester Bullock, criticizes the incumbent for issues outside his control.
Bullock cites the state’s homestead exemption for permanent residents as one of the indicators of an all too complicated tax system that should be simplified. Homestead and other exemptions do lead to unequal property taxes on similar homes in the same neighborhood. And he suggests citizen frustration with rising appraisals — due to improving real estate market conditions — should be addressed.
During the Herald/METV candidate forum on Friday, Hackney had a simple one-word answer to those issues when asked about the legal power that a property appraiser might hold to stop those inequities and increases: None. That constitutional officer would be violating state law. That is also true if that elected official gave special treatment to special interest groups, land developers and home builders, as Bullock charges.
“Everything that we do, we are required by law to assess values by market value,” Hackney also stated during the forum. “We are audited by the Department of Revenue. There is state accountability.” Plus, constitutional officers must complete ethics training annually.
Bullock maintains that the people who are paying the most “need some sort of consideration.” That can only be achieved by changes in state law and cannot be addressed at the local level.
He also points to seniors and veterans as two demographics that deserve relief on rising property taxes. The state already grants exemptions to low-income seniors and combat-disabled veterans. Expanding those discounts to more seniors and veterans is the purview of the Legislature, not the county property tax appraiser.
While Bullock contends the office needs more transparency, Hackney counters that the appraiser’s website advances transparency in property assessments with a broad array of information. Hackney cites this as one of his achievements as well as the creation of an online filing option for homestead exemptions and technological improvements in mapping and aerial images. If re-elected, he intends to continue to advance the office’s technology.
As to appeals of appraisals, Bullock suggests the process is not fair to all property owners. The Value Adjustment Board is governed by Florida statutes. The property appraiser’s representatives only defend valuations before the independent board and do not rule on such matters.
One hot-button issue, the office’s customer service, was a bone of contention between the two at the candidate forum, with Hackney flatly rejecting Bullock’s claim of poor service because he had to wait at the front desk at least once. If poor service exists, and we’re doubtful, it must be proven to be pervasive to be reason to oust a longtime, respected public servant.
As for qualifications for this office, Bullock touts his 40 years in business and management with background in purchasing equipment and materials at the right price. He has no professional property appraisal experience.
Hackney has owned a storage business since 1973 and also owned a real estate appraisal business for seven years before his first election to office in 1992. He has been a Certified Florida Appraiser since 1995 and served as president of the Florida Association of Property Appraisers from 1998-1999.
Hackney’s firm grasp of the rules and regulations that must be followed, his 24 years leading the appraiser’s office, and his strong background on property assessments are invaluable. The Bradenton Herald Editorial Board recommends Charles Hackney in the Republican primary for Manatee County property appraiser.
Candidate replies
Candidates who do not receive the Herald Editorial Board’s endorsement are invited to submit a response of up to 300 words by 5 p.m. the day after the endorsement appears in print. Those can be sent to letters@bradenton.com or faxed to 745-7097.
This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Herald recommends: Charles Hackney for Manatee County property appraiser in GOP primary."