Western Snohomish County -- County Assessor

--------------- COUNTY ASSESSOR ---------------

------------------ ISSUES AND ANSWERS ------------------

We asked the candidates these three questions:

Question 1. Why are you running for office?

Question 2. What public policy issues would be most important to you in the office you seek?

Question 3. What would you like to accomplish if elected?

# inidcates incumbent.

Gail S. Rauch Marysville (D).

Age: 48.

Occupation: Snohomish County assessor.

Family: Single.

Education: Bachelor's degree, education, Western Washington University.

1. I have not finished the job I started four years ago, which includes bringing modern technology to the office and some type of property-tax reform which is fair, uniform and equitable. The new computer system will be in place this year for the 1996 revaluation cycle. As for the tax reform, I have helped lobby this year and we succeeded in receiving a small tax relief for all citizens and an expansion of the senior-citizen program.

2. Maintaining fair, uniform and equitable assessments has always been an issue for the assessor in this county. Each year, as the state mandates increase, it becomes considerably more difficult to administer the laws which are passed by the state Legislature. I will continue to work within my budgetary constraints and produce assessments that are fair, uniform and equitable to all citizens of Snohomish County. The issue of property rights and the effect on valuation will certainly change how the assessor performs some tasks.

3. I will continue my quest for property-tax reform. I want to expand the state school levy reduction because it is a fair, uniform and equitable solution to high taxes. In my office I want to expand my customer-service program, which includes using modern technology to allow customers easier access to information. I will expand my public information meetings to every school district which is revalued.

Steve Reid. Marysville (R).

(Candidate's biographical information and answers to issues not available electronically.)