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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Runners give to Ragsdale's loved ones ... Medford's Castille Armory is on the cutting edge for sword lovers ... School board member enters Jackson County commissioner race ... Runners give to Ragsdale's loved ones ... Medford's Castille Armory is on the cutting edge for sword lovers ... School board member enters Jackson County commissioner race ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Assessor doesn't work just one day per year MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 12, 2016 @ 12:01 am Posted Jan. 12, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> You recently had an article that quoted Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan saying the county assessor is only required by state law to work one day per year. How is that possible? — Laura, Medford Jordan's comment during a Jackson County Board of Commissioners work session sparked quite a few questions from members of the public. To clarify what he meant, Jordan explained there are no state requirements that elected representatives work a minimum number of hours each year. That applies to the Jackson County assessor, as well as other elected positions in the county. The county assessor is required to certify the tax rolls, which happens one day each year. Theoretically, Jordan said the assessor could work just that one day. Since the assessor is accountable to the voters and can be voted out of office, working one day per year would be extremely unlikely, he said. Jackson County Assessor's Office Lead Appraiser David Arrasmith said the office has also fielded questions from the public triggered by Jordan's comment. Arrasmith said the tax rolls are typically certified on Sept. 25 in Jackson County, but the assessor and office staff put in extensive work to get the data needed for the task. "I would argue it takes all year to prepare those values," he said. Arrasmith said county assessors in Oregon are a hard-working group. He said in financially struggling counties on the coast and in Eastern Oregon, assessors often work with little staff support. "The assessor could be the last man standing," he said. Arrasmith is one of several Jackson County employees who will vie for the position of assessor in the coming May election. Previous Jackson County Assessor Josh Gibson resigned effective Dec. 31, although he stopped coming to work in mid-November after undergoing surgery. Gibson's annual pay was $99,674, according to county figures. Among other tasks, the assessor's office establishes estimates of the fair market value of property for tax purposes, maintains records and maps, verifies sales in the county and prepares and levies taxes. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 12, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501