Third candidate for assessor announces his plan

Another employee of Carson City Assessor Kit Weaver has decided to campaign for the assessor's post.

Scott Loff, chief appraiser, said Wednesday he plans to join Chief Deputy Assessor Dave Dawley and Carson resident Gene Munnings in the race for the office Weaver is vacating after 16 years.

"It's a natural move; it's the only position higher than mine," Loff said. "I've been approached by a lot of people who've encouraged me to run for it. I've been there longer than anybody. I've trained everybody that's in there now. When they have questions, they come to me."

Loff, 45, has worked with Carson City since 1977 and at the assessor's office since 1987. A licensed property appraiser since 1988, he said he has more than 500 hours of continuing education credits in appraising and assessing.

He's handled appeals of property taxes and works with the state on assessor audits. If elected, he said he plans to ask for another appraiser.

"We can barely keep up, " he said. "You need time to be able to analyze a lot of different properties, and we just have to get in there and do it. We need another appraiser.

"Like all offices, there are improvements that could be done there. The way technology is going, we have to keep up with that."

A Carson resident since 1962, he's married to Darlene, and they are the parents of Katie, 21, Randy, 20, and Steven, 12.

Salaries for the office start at $51,360 for the first four years. To become assessor, candidates must be a registered voter and win election.

The assessor is responsible for placing values on all property subject to taxation for the purpose of levying property taxes and determining taxable value on land, residential and commercial properties, business furniture and equipment, mobile homes and aircraft.

Election 2002 Dates:

File for office: May 6-20

Last day to register for primary: Aug. 3

Primary election: Sept. 3

Last day to register for general: Oct. 5

General election: Nov. 5