Angie Banks Announces Candidacy for Jefferson County Assessor

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV, January 25, 2008 - Angie Banks filed candidacy papers today, placing her name on the ballot for the position of Jefferson County Assessor. Former Jefferson County Clerk, John E. Ott, will serve as treasurer of her campaign. Banks, age 43, is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County. She has resided the past 23 years in Shepherdstown.

Banks has spent the past fourteen years serving as deputy clerk in the Assessor’s office. She has received ongoing training from the West Virginia State Tax Department and has experience with all functions in the local Assessor’s office.

“As a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, I fully understand the concern over recent increases in real estate tax because of assessments being based on sales,” said Banks. “However, as the real estate market continues to soften, our assessments will decline over time as they have in several areas for the 2008 tax year.”

Banks will make it a priority to further the working relationship with other county offices along with continuing to modernize the assessor’s office to be more accommodating to the public.

In addition, she will continue to educate new residents that they must register their vehicles within 30 days and file their personal property forms. “While we can increase our efforts to make the public aware of West Virginia’s vehicle registration law, the assessor’s office does not have the authority to write citations, which is the responsibility of law enforcement,” said Banks.

Angie Banks has been married for 25 years to Todd Banks. They have three children, including two daughters who are students at West Virginia University and a son who has served in Afghanistan. Banks is currently the Secretary of the Jefferson County Democratic Association.