Former Montezuma County assessor Mark Vanderpool launched an investigation and audit into Kinder Morgan\u2019s self-reported assets in 2008, claiming the energy company underestimated its assets by $50 million. The company later paid an additional $2 million in taxes after losing an appeal with the Colorado Board of Assessment Appeals (CBAA).<\/p>\n
William \u201cScott\u201d Davis, 64, and Cynthia L. Claytor, 53, both responded to a recent six-question survey by the Cortez Journal, including whether they would pursue the Kinder Morgan tax dispute.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause Kinder Morgan\u2019s tax revenues contribute a major portion of the tax revenues in this county, it is imperative that they be accurately and fairly assessed to insure that all taxpayers are treated equally,\u201d said Davis.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe taxpayers of Montezuma County deserve equality,\u201d said Claytor. \u201cEveryone should pay their share of taxes, no matter how large or how small.\u201d<\/p>\n
Questioned how each would respond and resolve assessment evaluations or disputes raised by residents, Davis said he would listen carefully, investigate the concerns and correct any errors.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf conflicts or resolutions cannot be reached within the assessor\u2019s office, I\u2019d provide the taxpayers with information and forms to seek further resolution of the dispute, thereby providing them with additional resolution options,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Claytor said she has handled hundreds of assessment questions and disputes during her 12-year tenure in the assessor\u2019s office. She added she\u2019s advised taxpayers to address county commissioners or the CBAA when resolutions couldn\u2019t be reached.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny of the public that has had contact with me knows that I have always been genuinely sincere and handled all situations with fairness and integrity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Both candidate surveys and their replies are available at cortezjournal.com.<\/p>\n