After 40 years, Andreesen retires as county assessor

     As of Jan. 1, Jones County will have a new assessor.

     After 41 years, Arnie Andreesen retired from his post. Chief Deputy Assessor Sarah Benter was appointed the new county assessor. Benter has worked for the Assessor’s Office for seven and a half years.

     Throughout the State of Iowa, county assessors were established in 1948. Out of 99 counties, Jones County is the only one to have had just two county assessors in this 70-year period. Andreesen said establishing longevity like this is quite unusual for this position across the state.

     Andreesen started working for Jones County in the fall of 1976. He became County Assessor on Jan. 1, 1980 after serving as a deputy assessor.

     “The previous assessor (L.T. Lorenzen) retired,” said Andreesen, “and I felt like it was the thing to do to move up. I thought I could do the job effectively.”

     Andreesen received his bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University in finance. He said working with numbers was just something that always came easy to him.

     “Someone mentioned there was a job opening in the Assessor’s Office and I felt it would be a good fit for me,” he said.

     Originally from Olin, Andreesen grew up in Jones County, so he knew the lay of the land.

     The job of a county assessor entails quite a bit, but Andreesen claims the job responsibilities “are pretty basic and simple.” He summed it up as having to find, list, and value all of the properties throughout the county for property tax purposes. Without people paying their property taxes, services offered by the county school districts, cities and county would suffer.

     In addition, every fall, the Assessor’s Office takes a road trip throughout the county, driving down every rural road to survey and look at every property.

     “We take note of what’s been torn down or any new construction,” explained Benter.

     This drive every fall usually takes the assessors a good month and a half to accomplish.

     “The work that’s done will either increase or decrease someone’s property values,” said Andreesen, “contrary to some people’s opinions. We are not just looking to increase values.”

     At this time of the year, letters are being prepared and sent out to request tours of county residents’ new homes to take stock of where things stand as of Jan. 1, 2018.

     “Any changes will affect their assessed value,” explained Benter.

     For the assessors, these tours also give them a chance to get out of the office, and visit with and get to know the residents.

     “We have the chance to explain to people the assessment process so they understand where their taxes derive from,” explained Benter. There are five classes of property in Jones County: multi-residential, residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural. This includes all properties in the county including those within city limits as well.

     While it may seem old-school to get in your car and drive around the county, Andreesen said he prefers to see it done this way rather than invest in aerial photography on a yearly basis, which would become quite costly for the county.

     “You can familiarize yourself with the county and the taxpayers,” he said. “You’re visible to the residents and it helps with public relations.”

     The county assessors also assist people in signing up for tax credits and exemptions. A few credits and exemptions available for properties are the homestead, disabled veteran’s homestead, military, and family farm.

     In his 40-plus years with Jones County, Andreesen has seen a lot of changes affect his job, many that have either made the job easier or harder due to changes in state laws.

     “The job itself didn’t change,” prefaced Andreesen, “but the way we did it changed.”

     Technology has also been a huge change, for the better, though Andreesen said there was a learning curve in the beginning.

     “When I started, we didn’t have computers; it was all recorded by hand,” he said. “Now, it’s more efficient.” Property values, assessments, and assessment notices are all handled through the network.

     Another great addition to the assessor’s job is the online Jones County Beacon website, which contains property information such as maps, real estate data, tax information, and appraisal data.

     “Every parcel in the county is online,” offered Andreesen. “This is one of the best things that we’ve done.”

     He said with other counties in Iowa also utilizing Beacon, it makes it easier for the public to access the information.

     “Before this, people would contact us to stop in for the information,” recalled Andreesen. “Now, it’s all online and it saves everyone a lot of time.” However, the Assessor’s Office still keeps the required property information on (paper) file as well.

     Working with low turnover in his office, Andreesen said he’s had some great employees over the years.

     “They have all been wonderful people to work with,” he praised. Andreesen said former University of Iowa Football Coach Hayden Fry said it best when he said that surrounding yourself with good people makes life easier.

     Now, he said it’s just time to step away and pursue other opportunities, whether that’s volunteering, a different professional avenue, and working in and around his home.

     “There are a lot opportunities out there I look forward to doing,” said Andreesen. “But I don’t want to jump in right away.”

     Having already passed on his advice to Benter, Andreesen said reaching out to your fellow county assessors across the state has been one of his best resources for advice.

     “Ultimately, you have to defend your choice down the line,” he said. Andreesen has been on both ends; asking for and giving of advice to and from other county assessors. “They have been very helpful to me,” he said.

     “Sarah will do a great job; I hope I taught her well.”

     Benter started with the Assessor’s Office in an entry-level position as administrative assistant. She worked her way up the ladder to deputy assessor, and, more recently, chief deputy assessor. The Iowa Department of Revenue offers state tests to become a deputy and a full county assessor. Benter passed both.

     She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University. She said working early on for the county was an asset because of the reliable hours, especially raising a young family.

     “I was able to work close to home and maintain steady hours,” she said. “I enjoy working with the public.”

     Benter said in this role, you have to fulfill a certain amount of continuing education hours through the state every six years, which is the term of appointment.

     “We’re appointed, but not elected,” she said.

     During the Jones County Supervisors meeting on Dec. 27, the board made record of the Conference’s Board’s appointment of Benter. Prior to that, on Dec. 14, the Conference Board made the decision to offer Benter the position.

     With those working in the Assessor’s Office cross-trained to take on what needs to be done, she said the change in title really wouldn’t affect the workflow of the office. One of the new tasks Benter will have to take on is preparing the department’s annual budget.

     “I’ll also have to send various reports to the Department of Revenue and make sure everything balances,” she said. “In addition, I’ll be analyzing our sales to see if we are staying within the range required by the state and making adjustments as needed, work with the other departments of the county to ensure our data is in line with theirs, as well as managing the office.”

     Benter said the Assessor’s Office is a well-run department, and she plans to ensure that the consistency and transparency remains.

     “I’m looking forward to the new challenge,” she said. “I want people to feel welcome to come in with their questions regarding their assessments.”

     Benter said working in a smaller county, it’s easier to take the time to sit down one-on-one with the taxpayers to explain the assessment process.

     “We have that advantage,” she said.

     Like Andreesen, Benter was born and raised in Jones County in Castle Grove Township.

     The Jones County Assessor’s Office is located in the lower level of the courthouse in Anamosa.

     “We welcome you to stop in and talk to us if you have any questions or concerns,” said Benter.