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5 questions with Kendal Sacchieri

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Editor’s note: Answering  The Purcell Register’s five questions this week is Kendal Sacchieri, McClain County Assessor.

Q: Has the assessor’s job been what you expected?

A: Yes and no. I did understand the basics of how property would be valued and assessed in my county, I knew the formulas, I knew my market and how to properly apply it across the board.

I didn’t however, realize what all taxable assets were umbrellaed under the Assessor’s responsibility to value. For example, oil and gas, personal property, wind energy (McClain County does not have Wind currently), cell towers, billboards and then of course, the newest of items, marijuana.

That has been a huge undertaking and is requiring a lot of time and resources that the Assessor’s office did not have before this industry began to pop up in Oklahoma.  There was also a lot of “I didn’t knows” that occurred after I took office, such as the state switching our appraisal softwares, a new performance audit, legislation changes to the oil and gas valuing process, all occurring within my first term, and all causing more work and demanding more time to educate our office.

Q: What is the best part of your day at the courthouse?

A: On any average day, it is the ability to visit with concerned taxpayers, who took the time to give me a call or stop by and ask questions. I love having answers and numbers to present to them so that when they leave, they grasp why ad valorem is vital and how the numbers all come together and work.

They might not always like the “way things are,” but they can at least understand that this is the law and feel satisfied that this is being applied fairly to all, as the law allows. I encourage anyone to always come talk to us directly and ask all the questions you have. There are NEVER any dumb questions.

Q: How would you describe your management style?

A: My staff is simply incredible. Each one has a specific role in the office that they handle on a day-to-day basis (i.e, mobile homes, mapping, data entry, personal property, etc). But they have all been cross-trained enough to be able to assist one another and help carry burdens when a certain season is busier for one employee versus another.

Because our office has different timelines, there are varying workloads for each employee throughout the year. This ensures my staff doesn’t experience burnout or feel like they are in a helpless situation. I make sure all my staff feels heard, obtains the training they need and has the equipment that their job demands to get it done quickly and accurately. And I make a habit to visit with all of my employees daily, that is very important.

But at the end of it all, my managing is simple, because I have a staff who are self-motivated, intelligent and trustworthy. I can’t take credit for that.

Q: How long did it take you to become familiar with all of McClain County?

A: I would say about two years. I knew the northern part well before I ever took office. I taught in Newcastle. I lived in Blanchard, and we built all over in those areas in between.

After taking office, however, was really when I became knowledgeable of the 580 square miles of McClain County.  Through field audits, getting out there with my field deputies, meeting taxpayers from all corners of the county and through aerial imagery we obtain of McClain County, all these experiences and tools have allowed me to intimately know the county that I value and I love every part of her.

Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?

A: I am part of a 4th generation family farm. That lifestyle is near and dear to me and I appreciate all who choose that way of life. 

It taught me how to feed my own family – be it putting out a garden, raising cattle, catching it in the pond or shooting it out of a deer stand. It taught me to live conservatively, help others out who may have had a harder year than yourself, and to invest in your family and fulfill your role as part of it.

And most importantly, it demonstrated a life of service and that we serve because we love others, and we love others because God first loved us. If that is the main thing someone learns from me today, I hope it is that I love Jesus Christ. Every day I have hope in Him, and I try my best to live a life that God’s Word calls for as a Christian.

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