New assessor has wealth of experience in post
4/19/2006When Bedford Township board sought a new assessor, they didn t have to look far.
The board chose the same Lambertville man who already does that job for four townships in Monroe County, and acts as a consultant for a fifth. The board made it official Tuesday night at its regular meeting, hiring Chris Renius to replace Barbara Blake, who left the township last month to take a private sector job in Cleveland.
Mr. Renius, 32, will be responsible for the inventory of all properties in the township, and placing values on them. Michigan reassesses property values annually. Mr. Renius also will inspect new construction.
The Bedford High School graduate already works for Berlin, Ash, Raisinville, and London townships, and acts as a consultant to the assessor in Whiteford Township.
For his work, which is expected to take 118 days a year, Mr. Renius will be paid $4,500 a month, with partial months pro-rated, according to his contract. He will not be considered a township employee, but an independent contractor. He will answer to township supervisor Walt Wilburn, said Bob Schockman, township clerk.
The arrangement is typical, Mr. Renius said.
I work part time everywhere, Mr. Renius said. It s all contracted.
The job also involves meeting with township staff and talking to residents to answer questions and advise them and revising data and property record cards, including those for new construction and demolitions.
He will do neighborhood market studies and analyze land values for the 2007 assessment year to determine adjustment to be made to the assessments, according to his contract.
I enjoy working with people, and I like the new construction side of it, Mr. Renius said, adding he used to work construction himself, as a framing contractor. And I enjoy the politics, believe it or not. It s always interesting.
His experience includes a stint as assessor in Monroe Charter Township, which started in 2003, and an appointment to the Monroe County housing commission, the same year he graduated with a bachelor s degree in business administration from the University of Toledo.
Assessing property is a family affair for Mr. Renius his wife and brother also are certified assessors.
Contact Vanessa Winans at:vwinans@theblade.com or 419-724-6168.