On Monday evening at the Community Center Laureen Basso-Cerini and Mackenzie Hodges spoke to a full house. But only registered Republicans will choose Pershing County’s next assessor.
Steve Evenson, the emcee of Candidates Night, explained.
“You have to be a Republican to vote in this primary,” he said. “The winner becomes the assessor.”
“If you don’t like that, call or visit your state legislators. They’ll be here for the Candidates Night in November,” he noted before Hodges and Basso-Cerini introduced themselves.
Mackenzie Hodges
“I was born and raised in Pershing County,” she began. “I graduated from PCHS and headed to Portland, Oregon to pursue my dream of playing college basketball.”
An ankle injury intervened. Hodges completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at UNR. Now she and her husband, Phillip, hope to settle in Pershing County.
In the spring of 2017, Hodges began working for the Nevada Attorney General’s office.
She manages a staff of four legal secretaries in the Bureau of Litigation, Division of Public Safety. Hodges serves as the main contact person between the Carson City and Las Vegas offices.
“I would like to narrow my focus and serve Pershing County,” she said.
Hodges currently takes classes with the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). She says she also works with two former assessors.
“If I am successful in this race I will be prepared to take the exam with the Department of Taxation and obtain certification as an appraiser of both real and personal property,” she said.
Laureen Basso-Cerini
“I was born and raised in the Lovelock valley on a small ranch,” said Laureen Basso-Cerini.
She graduated from PCHS with the Class of 1982.
Basso-Cerini returned to Lovelock from Reno in 2003 to direct the Pershing County Senior Center.
“In June 2008 it was time for me to broaden my horizons and I have a love for construction,” she said. “So I was honored when the retired assessor offered me the role of her appraiser.”
As an appraiser, Basso-Cerini certified in both Real and Personal Property through the Department of Taxation.
“In January 2015, when the previous assessor retired, I stepped into the assessor role,” she said.
Basso-Cerini is the only Certified Appraiser in the Assessor’s office.
“If there is no certified appraiser, the Nevada Department of Taxation has to review all appraisals at the County’s expense,” she noted.
Evenson lobbed questions at the candidates.
“How do you plan to work with the public and businesses when there are conflicts over assessments?” he asked.
Mackenzie Hodges: “I think accountability is the biggest thing. If somebody is super-upset, defuse the situation by explaining to them why it happened. I don’t think so many people would be upset about what is going on if they have an understanding and knowledge of why.”
“As Lauri stated there is a lot that goes into taxing somebody’s property. Communication, explanation and accountability will defuse conflict.”
Laureen Basso-Cerini: “Often when a taxpayer comes in very unhappy, it’s after the five-year appraisal cycle.”
Basso-Cerini noted that starting with the 2019-2020 tax year, the Assessor’s Office will re-cost land and all improvements every year.
“This will alleviate the swings in values every five years during an appraisal cycle.”
“And, every taxpayer in this room has the right to appeal with the County Board of Equalization. The conflict should be resolved at that level. If not, we can go on to the state.”
On June 12, 2018, Cerini and Hodges compete in the primary. Early voting starts May 26.
Evenson observed that some voters temporarily switch party affiliation to vote in closed primaries.
He asked Lacy Donaldson for specifics.
“What is the last day to change your registration?” he inquired.
The Clerk-Treasurer had the facts at her fingertips.
“By mail, it’s May 15. In the office, it’s May 22. Online, it’s May 24 by 11:59 p.m,” she replied.
“I did have someone tell me they were going to change their registration to vote in this election but they were scared to death they’d die as a Republican,” joked Evenson.
