Name: Kurt Kraft
Family: Never married. Never divorced. A true believer in a single lifestyle.
Occupation: Running for Duval County Property Appraiser.
Political/Government experience: I have worked for four (4) elected Property Appraisers. I have over 33 years as a Real Estate Appraiser within the Duval County Property Appraiser's Office. BBA, major Real Estate, Kent State University.
Years lived in Jacksonville: 36 years.
Campaign website: KraftFairTaxes.com
Why did you decide to run for office:
- TAX INEQUITIES. Based on local printed business media, there are sales of properties that when compared to the Duval County Property Appraiser's Office assessment, it is my opinion that it appears that some properties are woefully under assessed, creating tax inequities, costing the City of Jacksonville (Duval County) millions of dollars. Based on my media sample, it appears that these properties on the average of the sample, are assessed at approximately 55% of their sales price. The assessment ratio in the State of Florida is 100%. It appears that this lost revenue to the City of Jacksonville could have been used toward more police protection, create higher paying jobs, education, upgrade infrastructure, fix road pot holes, extend library hours, and more services for the citizens. If Kurt Kraft can see the property sales in the media, the residents can see the property sales in the media, can Jerry Holland's Property Appraiser's Office see the property sales? Kurt Kraft, as your next Property Appraiser, will correct all tax inequities, and make it FAIR for everybody! Fair Assessments = Fair Taxes. KraftFairTaxes.com
- FIVE (5) INVESTIGATIONS. Since my opponent, Jerry Holland, Property Appraiser, his office for about the last three (3) years, has been INVESTIGATED by five (5) separate agencies. US Dept of Labor, FDLE, City of Jacksonville, Office of Inspector General and Human Rights Commission, and US EEOC. Kurt Kraft, as your next Property Appraiser, will follow the law, and restore trust and accountability to that office. Read the Full Report at KraftFairTaxes.com
- PUBLIC RECORD. It is public record, that over a 34 week period, Jerry Holland, Property Appraiser, his personal parking garage card activity when calculated, is approximately 24 HOURS PER WEEK average. The parking garage is connected to the Property Appraiser's Office. Kurt Kraft as your next Property Appraiser, will be a FULL-TIME Property Appraiser, for which the job pays about $153,000 a year. Kurt Kraft will put in 40 hour plus work weeks, to provide leadership to get the job done. Read the Full Report as KraftFairTaxes.com
- NO SHOWERS. After Jerry Holland became Property Appraiser, there was a private shower installed in Jerry Holland's individual office restroom, within his individual administrative office, in the Property Appraiser's Office. Kurt Kraft, as your next Property Appraiser, will close and board up the shower stall. NO SHOWERS !
What is the biggest challenge facing the office you're seeking, and how specifically would seek to address that: The biggest challenge appears correcting all of the tax inequities, which is costing the City of Jacksonville millions of dollars. The way you solve that, Kurt Kraft will provide new leadership by following the law and assessing everybody fairly. Fair Assessments = Fair Taxes
What more do you believe your office could be doing to serve the citizens of Jacksonville: Kurt Kraft says following the law. Jerry Holland's Property Appraiser's Office has been INVESTIGATED BY FIVE (5) SEPARATE AGENCIES in about the last 3 years.
What would be your main budget priority for the upcoming fiscal year: Kurt Kraft will treat everybody fairly. Fair Assessments = Fair Taxes.
How do you define what you hope Jacksonville will be ten years from now: Kurt Kraft will treat everybody fairly. Fair Assessments = Fair Taxes. This will result in a better City of Jacksonville that can provide better services for all citizens.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: WOKV asked all candidates in a race to answer the same questions, and the answers here are their unedited responses. WOKV has not independently verified information in these answers, nor is WOKV endorsing any candidates.