This race will appear on Republican Primary ballots. Write-in candidate Seth Noe will challenge the winner of this race in the General Election. Each candidate was given the opportunity to provide a 200-word bio and respond to our questions within 700 words.
KEVIN JOHNSTON (REP)
BIO:
I am a native of Hernando County and graduated from Hernando High School.
I have been married to my wife Kelly for almost 35 years and we have two adult children and one granddaughter.
I began my career in the Hernando County Property Appraiser’s office in 1993 as an entry-level Field Appraiser and worked my way up through both the Valuations Department and Administration where I currently serve as the Assistant Property Appraiser. My current duties include overseeing the valuation of over 127,000 parcels with a market value of more than $31 billion while managing a staff of over 45 dedicated employees.
I have been a member of the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers since 1994 and have served four years on the Real Property Steering Committee with three as its Chairperson. I was also elected by my peers to serve two terms on the Executive Board of Directors.
I have been designated by the Florida Department of Revenue as a Certified Florida Evaluator since 1995.
What specific qualifications do you possess that make you suitable for the role of County Property Appraiser?
My most significant qualification is my extensive experience with the Property Appraiser’s Office. Over my 31 years working in the Property Appraiser’s Office, I’ve had the unique opportunity to learn from three different Property Appraisers, gaining deep knowledge and understanding that is crucial for this role. This experience has allowed me to work in all areas in the office, including valuations, customer service, and administration. Each department has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the office’s operations and the intricate details of the Property Appraiser’s Office. My familiarity with every aspect of the office ensures that I can address any issue that arises and implement effective solutions. I am ready to serve the taxpayers of Hernando County effectively from day one, with no need for on-the-job training.
How would you engage with property owners and stakeholders to ensure transparency in the assessment process?
Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of my approach. Our office maintains open access to tax roll data, TRIM notices, GIS mapping, and our budget on our website, ensuring you have the information you need, when you need it.
I will actively engage with property owners, including homeowners associations, civic groups, veteran groups, and realtors to educate the public on assessment processes. Moving forward, I will enhance our social media presence to increase awareness of property tax exemptions and filing deadlines.
What steps would you take to ensure that the appraisal system keeps pace with technological advancements?
As your next Property Appraiser, I will always look for ways to reduce cost through leveraging technology. With rapid changes in technology, it is important to properly study whether the benefit of any new technology is worth the expense to the taxpayers of Hernando County. The Office currently has a dedicated team of IT professionals that developed our Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) program and updates it as needed. Having developed our own CAMA program, we are not limited by outside sources for program updates or annual maintenance cost, saving taxpayers time and money.
How would you ensure fairness and accuracy in property assessments across the county?
The Property Appraiser’s Office undergoes rigorous audits by the Florida Department of Revenue annually, with our tax roll consistently meeting all statutory criteria. I support ongoing training and professional development for all staff to keep them up-to-date with industry standards and advancements. I will encourage a culture of continuous improvement and adherence to best practices in property assessments.
What measures would you implement or continue to do to address concerns about over-assessment or under-assessment of properties?
Mass appraisal valuation uses statistical techniques, comparative analysis, and annual reassessments to maintain equity. By regularly updating valuation models and incorporating new market data, it helps to correct disparities and ensure that assessments are as accurate and fair as possible for all property owners.
What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing the property appraiser’s office in our county, and how would you address them?
Rapid growth, legislative changes and technological advancements are our biggest challenges.
With rapid growth that Hernando County has experienced over the past several years, one primary issue involves ensuring fair and equitable assessments despite fluctuating market conditions and property values. This requires staying updated with local market trends, economic shifts and legal modifications affecting property owners.
Legislative changes can have broad implications for property appraisers, influencing how we conduct assessments, interact with property owners and uphold professional standards. Staying informed and adaptable to these changes is crucial for maintaining effective appraisal practices.
Moreover, technological advancements and data management pose ongoing challenges. Keeping appraisal methods up-to-date, leveraging technology for more accurate assessments, and safeguarding sensitive property data are continuous responsibilities.
RANDY MAZOUREK (REP)
BIO:
I was blessed to be born and raised in Hernando County. After graduating from Hernando High, I left for a few years to obtain my degree in Real Estate with an emphasis in appraising at FSU. Soon after, I bought my father, Alvin Mazourek’s business (ARM Appraisal Service) and have been providing appraisals to our residents ever since. I married the girl next door, Brook and together we are raising our two very busy children. My love for real estate was instilled in me at a young age as I spent time with my Dawson Grandparents who opened Hernando county’s first Real Estate agency and my Mazourek grandparents who, as Czechoslovakian immigrants were first time property owners in America. My education, my career and my family background has provided me with a comprehensive experience in real estate and appraising. Being an entrepreneur and a small business owner provides me with a clear perspective of what taxpaying citizens need from the Property Appraiser’s office. As a conservative outsider, I will bring a more productive management style to the office when elected. I am looking forward to bringing conservative changes to the office and am ready to work hard on day one!
What specific qualifications do you possess that make you suitable for the role of County Property Appraiser?
I graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Real Estate with an emphasis in property appraising in 1995. After graduating, I purchased my father’s appraisal business and have managed it successfully ever since, providing appraisals for Hernando county residents. My education and career have both provided great experience in property assessment. In addition to this, I believe in the right to own property. I believe in the American ideal that government should make it easier, not more difficult. As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand how properties are over assessed. I’ve seen it happen right here in Hernando County. These practices of unfair assessments are created when a government becomes too large. I bring real world experience to this job. My experience in the private sector, with a real understanding of the burdens of an over taxing government, will help me fight for all of our citizens. I will use this experience to create the same environment that was left by my father when he retired. I look forward to serving Hernando’s residents and am ready to start working hard on day one!
How would you engage with property owners and stakeholders to ensure transparency in the assessment process?
I want to make the work of the Property Appraiser’s office more transparent and accessible to the citizens of Hernando County. The Property Appraiser serves the taxpayers and we should have a clear explanation of how our property is being assessed. When property owners have questions concerning the values placed on their homes they should be addressed. The staff should be trained and encouraged to have these conversations explaining the appraisal process and addressing any concerns. Property owners should not be met with resistance when verbalizing these concerns. In addition to this, the office should have a reliable website that is always accessible.
What steps would you take to ensure that the appraisal system keeps pace with technological advancements?
Anyone who works in an industry that relies on The Property Appraiser’s technology learned very quickly this year of its deficit. Realtors, appraisers, builders, architects, EMS, law enforcement officers, and many others suffered due to its degradation. This is unacceptable. My father, Alvin Mazourek led the county in the direction of a central GIS system in the summer of 2002. This system proved to be a great asset for our County. Unfortunately, in 2024 it is antiquated technology. I have met with property appraisers from neighboring counties who have an updated system and I am ready to bring Hernando County up to speed as soon as I am elected.
How would you ensure fairness and accuracy in property assessments across the county?
Fair values are of utmost importance to me. There are three approaches to determine value. Market, Income and Cost. In my opinion on residential properties, Market is the true and fair way to value the properties. For commercial properties, all three approaches are used but I believe they should be valued in the following order (market, income and lastly, cost.) That creates a true and equitable value that I will bring to the Property Appraiser’s office when elected.
What measures would you implement or continue to do to address concerns about over-assessment or under-assessment of properties?
I am conservative and I believe in a conservative approach to appraising properties. Many questions and concerns about property values can be easily addressed with a conversation. As a conservative, I will always fight to support lowering taxes. As a property owner, I understand the concerns our tax payers have and will be willing to listen and discuss them. This is the same approach I have used in my own appraisal business for the past 30 years and it works well.
What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing the property appraiser’s office in our county, and how would you address them?
I am running for this office because of an outcry from citizens asking me to lead this office towards conservative changes. There is clearly an IT problem as well as lack of transparency and accessibility to the office. The lack of accessibility and transparency directs many homeowners to go before the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) to hear their concern. The VAB board historical information is public record, dating back to 2008 and it is a clear indication that our tax payers are concerned and the property appraiser’s office is less accessible than ever. The amount of petitions filed has greatly increased in the past few years. For example:
Year Filed Costs Granted
2016 81 $10, 826.45 7
2018 108 $18,633. 15 16
2023 366 $48,835.81 95
I am ready to step in and make the taxpayer the focus of the Property Appraiser’s office on day one!
