Union County Assessor resigns

Much has to fall in place and at the right times for Union County Assessor office clerk Jessica Hagen to be appointed as the next county assessor, provided she is interested in taking the position.

Her name and status were discussed Tuesday as the Union County Conference Board accepted the resignation of assessor Mindy Schaefer. Schaefer’s last day is Jan. 2, 2025. She has had the position for five years and been in Union County government for 12. Schaefer said she accepted another public position but declined to explain further details.

Schaefer said Hagen is taking courses to become a certified Iowa county assessor.

“I believe she is interested,” Schaefer said about taking over. Hagen was not in attendance.

Once her courses have been completed and approved, she will be on list of available credited assessors by the state department of revenue. Schaefer said it’s possible Hagen could be accredited by late January. According to Iowa law, the county auditor oversees the assessor office when the assessor position is vacant.

Within seven days of the vacancy, the county’s examination board has to meet and request the list of accredited assessors from the department of revenue. The examination board is Jill McKnight, Jake McGehee and Phil Waigand; one appointed by the county board of supervisors, the mayors of each town and school districts. Those three categories make up the conference board.

The examination board reviews eligible applicants and makes a recommendation to appoint to the conference board. Iowa county assessors are appointed, not elected, and for six-year terms. Schaefer’s term expires next year.

Schaefer said the list of eligible assessors regularly changes. The list typically includes those who are working, retired assessors who are still accredited and those accredited but not working in the position.

“There might be two or three who don’t have a job,” Schaefer said.

County Supervisor Dennis Hopkins asked if Hagen would be eligible, and on the list, at the time the list is requested by the county. Schaefer said the department of revenue is who updates the list.

Schaefer said she has been in county government for 24 years and said her new work is “better suited in the type of leadership I desire.” She said she hopes her talents and skills are used and appreciated to the fullest in her next position.

“I appreciate the people in the courthouse and the family environment nurtured by the auditor, treasurer and recorder’s office.”

Schaefer said during her time she has computerized many records, updated property values, reviewing ag land values on a schedule and began streamlining other categories of properties.

“I am satisfied the plan in place and the way has been paved for the next county assessor,” she said.

In other conference board news...

Schaefer said Union County is in litigation with Walmart over its 2023 taxable value of its Creston store. She said a hearing has been set for May 13, 2025, and could last up to three days. Union County is one of 44 Walmat-related cases in Iowa.

An appraisal is needed for the hearing and Schaefer has contracted that work with a firm that specializes in large retail buildings like Walmart. The firm will charge Union County $15,000 for the work, plus travel expenses. Union County is sharing the travel expenses with two other counties.

Schaefer said Walmart offered a settlement, but she denied the offer. She declined to explain details. Schaefer said it’s been a mixed result with the other counties’ cases; some counties have won; some have settled out of court and others are waiting for the scheduled hearing date. Schaefer said the settlement amounts are between the county’s value and what Walmart values the builiding.

Union County had a similar case with Walmart in 2019.