Re-elect Assessor Morrissey

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During eight years in office, Douglas County Assessor Roger Morrissey and his staff have done yeoman work to move the county beyond its old-time, cockeyed valuation practices. Voters on Nov. 7 should give Morrissey a third four-year term.

Under Morrissey’s predecessor, 24-year Assessor Frank Bemis, properties that didn’t change hands could go years without being revalued. Morrissey, a veteran real-estate appraiser, took over at a time when the state was demanding more rigorous adherence to valuation standards set in state law.

Morrissey chose to do what most assessors across Nebraska now do. Instead of doing an expensive, countywide reappraisal once every few years, he aimed to reappraise the county over a five-year period, tackling part of the county each year. Sales statistics help generate smaller changes in between.

The Assessor’s Office has just finished its first reappraisal circuit under Morrissey. State propertytax officials, who could raise taxable values across the board, are satisfied with his performance in bringing the county this far.