Gow seeks second term as assessor

Donna Gow is seeking a second term as Bonner County Assessor.

"Having represented the people of Bonner County for over three years, I am the only candidate that is a certified appraiser [and] the only one who has appraised all types of properties," Gow said in announcing her bid for a second term.

Gow is running as a Republican in the May 17 primary.

Among the property which is has appraised are residential, mobile and manufactured homes, commercial, industrial, and condos as well as Section 42 properties and Section 515 properties and some personal property.

Gow also noted she is the only one running for the office who has over 500 hours of appraisal training.

"While the assessor does not need to be an appraiser, from experience I know that it makes a difference," Gow said.

During her tenure as Bonner County Assessor over the last three years, Gow said she has implemented a number of positive changes. Among them are increased and improved training for staff, and an updated and improved interface for the office's website. Under her leadership, Gow said the office hired a forester, creating better equity in the assessment process and created new “notice of inspection” letters to better serve residents.

And despite the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased in population, and a new Idaho Transportation Department program, "the staff have survived and are now thriving" at the Department of Motor Vehicles, Gow said.

Other improvements also include a new employee interview questionnaire to hire and retain qualified employees, and revised employee job descriptions so that more pay can be offered with additional duties and experience.

"These and other improvements help create better equity in assessments, better customer service, and more transparency for the people of Bonner County," Gow said. "I look forward to continuing to move the Assessors Office forward and to serve the people of Bonner County."