The Observer asked primary elections candidates running for county offices or legislative seats representing some part of Sandoval County to fill out questionnaires sharing their views.

Responses were not edited for anything except word count.

County commission, state representative, sheriff and magistrate judge candidates were limited to 800 words, while probate judge and assessor candidates were limited to 500 words due to having fewer questions to answer.

If candidates went over the limit, their responses were cut from the bottom until they exactly met the word limit.

Linda P. Gallegos. Courtesy photo

Democrat: Linda P. Gallegos

Community of residence:

Rio Rancho for 45 Years

What are your qualifications for the position?

I am the current Sandoval County Assessor and former Chief Deputy Treasurer for Sandoval.  I have 30 years’ experience in Banking, Budgeting, Management and Real Estate related work.

Have you ever been convicted of or do you have any pending charges of a felony, DWI or domestic violence?

No

If elected, what would your short- and long-term goals be?

My overall goal is to continue to serve the citizens by providing fair and uniform assessments.  Short term goals include meeting with Management to review staff performance and determine goals for the upcoming year.  Also, review upcoming educational classes that are available and enroll staff accordingly. 

Both short and long term goals are to work with and educate all taxpayers of the exemptions that are available and assist in claiming them.  I will also continue to work on the budget to provide staff with the tools to efficiently complete our job.  This includes current technology and sufficient staff. 

As the current Assessor, I have been available to assist taxpayers and staff and I will continue to be a good and fair public servant.  I will treat our taxpayers and employees with respect and fairness.  We will have fair and equitable assessments with positive and healthy leadership. 

How can people reach you if they have more questions?

Please reach me anytime at (505) 463-0423 or [email protected].

Do you believe county property valuations are fair?

We review all information available to us to determine fair property valuations. Notice of Values are mailed each April to every property owner and there is an opportunity to protest if an owner disagrees with the valuation.  I have ensured that we have sufficient coverage to answer any questions, including in person, over the phone and email.

There is also an easy process to submit a formal protest that may be heard by an outside board.  Considering the extensive research we perform and the ability for owners to provide our office additional information, I would say that yes, our valuations are fair.

How would you make the Assessor’s Office more efficient?

Along with management, I will continue to review staff performance and set additional goals.  We will continue to monitor and assist the staff to achieve their goals and educate where needed.  I will continue to work with the Finance Department and Commissioners to provide the technology and staff we need.

What other changes, if any, would you make if elected?

I am proud to be the current Assessor of the fastest growing county in New Mexico!  In the past few years I have adjusted goals, access to educational classes and office policies.  We have met the goal of reviewing at least 20% of the parcels each year and the office is running smoothly, BUT, I am not too proud to accept advice and will continue to listen and make adjustments as needed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and become familiar with the candidates.  I humbly ask for your vote.    

 

Richard Shanks. Courtesy photo

Republican: Richard Shanks

Community of residence:

Corrales, New Mexico

What are your qualifications for the position?

Currently I am the Sandoval County Chief Deputy Assessor. My background provides me with many skills needed for Assessor. I have been involved in the construction industry from a young age. Along with having a construction background I was an educator with RRPS for 17 years. My time as a teacher was with elementary aged students and middle school math students.

Have you ever been convicted of or do you have any pending charges of a felony, DWI or domestic violence?

I have no convictions of any type nor do I have any pending charges against me.

If elected, what would your short- and long-term goals be?

My short-term goal is to bring the Assessor’s Office up to full staffing and continue working to assess all properties equitably.

Long-term goal is to reach all property owners in Sandoval County to provide information and understanding of all exemptions that are available to them.

How can people reach you if they have more questions?

[email protected]

Do you believe county property valuations are fair?

Under New Mexico’s current laws the assessments in Sandoval County are fair, although there are definitely revisions that should be applied to the Property Tax Code.  Currently, purchasers or sellers of non-residential properties are not required to report the sale prices of properties in NM.  Purchasers or sellers of residential properties on the other hand are required to report the selling price.  This disparity in requirements makes valuing nonresidential properties accurately a lot more difficult to value as opposed to residential properties. 

How would you make the Assessor’s Office more efficient?

Sandoval County is the fastest growing county in NM and one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.  One of the biggest challenges is hiring and retention of qualified staff, and it is especially difficult to entice qualified individuals when competing with the wages offered by the private sector. 

It is extremely important to be efficient but equally important that we have sufficient, qualified staff to review all properties in Sandoval County for accuracy in the valuations.  

There are advances in technology that are available to aid the Assessor’s Office that need to be explored that can lead to me leading a fiduciary responsible office but once again it starts with staffing appropriately because if you don’t have the staffing or the qualifications then the technology only serves a minor part.

What other changes, if any, would you make if elected?

I would lobby our legislators to make reforms to the Property Tax Code to make changes to the way valuation protests are handled.  Due to the fact that the way current legislation is written, the county and the state are forced to spend way more money and manpower because the process is inefficient.  Every property owner has a right to protest the value, and I fully support that right, but changes need to be made so we do not waste tax payer resources.

Republican: Lawrence D. Griego

Griego did not respond to the Observer’s questionnaire.