County Lets Assessor Cooney Hire More Help But Most Of Her Budget Requests Rejected

Assessors aren’t known for their willingness to dicker. But Spokane County Assessor Charlene Cooney did that Thursday when she asked county commissioners for more help.

Cooney asked for two clerks, five appraisers and a deputy assessor. Those workers and a variety of computer equipment were recommended by a consultant from the state Department of Revenue, who spent a year trying to determine why the assessor’s office is so far behind in its work.

After what sounded like negotiations between a used-car dealer and a hard-nosed buyer, she got approval to hire the deputy assessor and one assistant, and buy an $8,700 piece of map-making equipment.

She was told not to buy a printer to go with the “plotter,” nor the eight computers that also were on her $300,000 wish list.

Commissioners said it’s chancy enough making a $90,000 commitment for next year without knowing how much money will be available.

Buying the plotter went against the advice of budget director Marshall Farnell, who answered, “No sir,” when Commissioner Phil Harris asked if the county had money for the purchase.

Farnell cut Cooney short when she started to argue that the equipment is necessary.

“He (Harris) didn’t ask me if we need the plotter. I think we do,” Farnell said. “He asked me if we can afford it. The correct answer is ‘no.”’ Harris asked Cooney if she’d be willing to let commissioners choose her deputy, saying many taxpayers have lost confidence in her judgment.

“No, sir, I would not,” said Cooney. “I think it’s my responsibility, commissioner.”

Later, Harris said he would agree to hire the deputy only if it was a temporary position. He was outvoted by commissioners Steve Hasson and John Roskelley.

Earlier this year, commissioners agreed to hire four workers to help Cooney eliminate a backlog of 3,000 subdivisions and other land divisions. The additional workers suggested by consultant Rich Baird would help the assessor catch up on residential property appraisals, which are two years behind schedule.

Baird found that Cooney inherited many of the problems when she took office in 1992.

Inaccurate tax records cost the county, school districts and other governments money because some landowners aren’t paying their share of taxes. Cooney said she couldn’t say how much the county is losing, or even if it’s enough to make up for all the expenses Baird suggested.

Commissioners say they’re committed to following the suggestions, but can’t make the entire investment immediately.

, DataTimes