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Karen L Montoya, Democrat
Karen L Montoya
The Job of County Assessor
Determines property values of homes, businesses and other taxable property within the county; prepares the tax rolls for the county treasurer. Pays $56,957. Post held by Mark J. Carrillo, a Democrat, who cannot run again due to term limits.
Opponent: Harold Davis, Republican, did not return survey
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Candidate for Bernalillo County assessor
Name: Karen L Montoya, Democrat
Age: 41
Campaign Web site address: None
Occupation: Senior appraiser for the New Mexico State Property Tax Division. I have taken leave without pay from this position to run for the office of Bernalillo County assessor.
Family: I am a fourth-generation Albuquerquean. I have two beautiful children, Amanda and Alysha.
Education: Successfully completed coursework at the University of New Mexico, TVI, and the International Association of Assessing Officers to qualify as a New Mexico certified appraiser, the highest designation awarded by the state of New Mexico; graduate of Del Norte High School.
Please list the experience you think would make you a good assessor.
I have 15 years of experience specifically in the property tax field. I served in the Bernalillo County Assessor's office (1991-2004) with responsibilities that included agricultural valuation, real estate appraisal, residential valuation, commercial appraisal, and assessment administration. I received 10-year service awards.
In 2004, I became a senior appraiser with the New Mexico state Property Tax Division, which oversees all 33 county assessors in the state. I am a New Mexico certified appraiser and have served as chair of the County Valuation Protest Board.
I am a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers.
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a felony or misdemeanor? If yes, explain.
No.
What's the best meal you can cook from scratch?
Red chile enchiladas and beans
Last book you read:
The last book I read (with my daughter) was "Holes" by Louis Sachar.
What was your biggest mistake in life and what lesson did you learn?
The greatest lesson I ever learned: When I was a teenager, my friends and I thought we knew everything. It didn't take to many years for me to appreciate the wisdom and experience of my parents.
What would be your top two priorities in office and what specific steps would you take to achieve them?
1. Ensure honesty, integrity and efficiency in assessment administration. To accomplish this goal, I will make the Valuation Protest Board completely independent of the Assessor's office. I will also make assessment review on the Internet much more user-friendly for the taxpayer.
2. Maximize allowable exemptions for seniors, veterans and homeowner through an aggressive public information campaign to notify taxpayers of their rights under these programs.
What distinguishes you from your opponent?
My long and wide-range of experience and training specifically in the property tax field cannot be matched by my opponent.
State law prohibits county assessors from increasing home valuations by more than 3 percent. Yet, assessments from local realtor groups suggest home values should increase around 12 percent. What are your thoughts on accurately assessing home value?
The home valuation cap was a constitutional question approved by the voters. Accordingly, the county assessor is strictly bound to uphold the statute in limiting future residential valuation assessments to 3 percent. However, there is a built-in inequity that is unfair to the taxpayer insofar as when a home is sold or undergoes major renovation the value skyrockets to current market value.
