Grammer hasn't forgotten who her boss is

EPHRATA — Incumbent Grant County Assessor Laure Grammer says with the area's current growth spurt, and more on the way in the next three to five years, it's important to understand the impacts of property values and levy rates on the taxpayers.

In response to the increased growth and importance of property values, she wants to begin assessing all property in Grant County every year, improving the current system of assessing about 25 percent per year.

"That's so I can be more responsive to the upswings, and the down turns in market value," she said.

In her first term, Grammer, a Moses Lake Republican, made GIS maps available on the county's Web site. The site receives heavy traffic, she said, getting about 10,000 hits a month.

"We increase our efficiency and our capacity in what we show (on the Web site)," she said. "Almost all of the data that's collected in our office is out on the Web now for the general public."

She worked 14 years in the assessor's office before first running for the assessor post four years ago. Former county assessor Don McDowall first hired her as a programmer systems analyst to improve information sharing and efficiency throughout the courthouse, she said.

"I believe government should only do that which the people cannot do for themselves," Grammer said. She helps people navigate through the information in her office and locate what they need.

She's running against challenger Norm Lancaster, also a Republican, from Moses Lake. The winner of the Sept. 19 primary decides the race, with no Democratic contender.

For tax purposes, the Grant County assessor's office establishes fair market value on all property, through physical inspection. The office maintains maps representing the boundaries of each of the approximately 61,570 parcels in Grant County. The assessor records and updates the legal description and ownership of every piece of property. The assessor has a staff of 18 people.

"The assessor does not write the tax laws, the state Legislature does," Grammer said. "The job of the assessor is to apply those laws fairly and equitably across all properties, and that's my job."

She promises to be honest in doing her job and maintain her integrity, so people can rely on the information provided.

"I never forget who my boss is," Grammer said, referring to the public. She enjoys being held accountable to voters every four years, she said.

"I'm going to steer the county in a direction, and hopefully educate my public in the direction that best serves them," she said.