DeJong appointed Jasper County Assessor

Jasper County Assessor John Deegan is set to retire in 2018 after more than 30 years in the position. Following the approval of the county conference board Thursday night, Tracy DeJong, chief deputy assessor, was appointed the county’s new assessor.

Assessors are appointed to their position by a conference board consisting of the members of the Jasper County Board of Supervisors, the mayors of all incorporated cities and a member from each school district within the jurisdiction.

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Joe Brock, supervisor Denny Carpenter via telephone, all mayors and Graham Sullivan of the Newton Community School Board were all in attendance.

According to Deegan, two candidates were eligible for the position and the conference board narrowed down the position to DeJong who has been a chief deputy assessor in the county for seven years.

Conference board members approved DeJong for the position unanimously, and she will begin Jan. 6. The next item on the agenda was approving DeJong’s salary for the first six months of her position.

After 32 years as the county assessor, Deegan’s salary is $89,000. Some conference board members expressed taking the average between Deegan’s and DeJong’s salaries while others said they think DeJong should be given Deegan’s current salary.

Following discussion, Brock made a motion of an $80,000 salary for DeJong’s first six months, and it was approved by conference board members.

DeJong said she is looking forward to the challenge of the new position.

“I will have full responsibility of the office,” DeJong said. “I hope I can get more designations behind my name and continue furthering education.”

Deegan said throughout his position with the county, one of the biggest changes has been technology and not having as many face-to-face interactions.

“These 32 years have really been great,” Deegan said. “I’ve been fortunate to have good people work for me ... it’s been very rewarding and challenging and a lot of changes have happened.”

Assessors are required, by statute, to pass a state examination and continuing education program consisting of 150 hours of formal classroom instruction with 90 hours tested and a passing grade of 70 percent attained. The latter requirement must be met in order for the assessor to be reappointed to the position every six years.

Contact Kayla Singletary at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or ksingletary@newtondailynews.com