Larson brings experience, deep community ties to assessor's race

After more than two decades in the Tillamook County Assessor’s Office, KaSandra Larson is running for the top position in this year’s election.

Larson told the Headlight Herald that she feels her extensive experience in the office combined with her attachment to the community make her a strong candidate for the position.

“I’m deeply rooted here and I’m committed to public service and I’m committed to continuing that support for our districts, our education, our public health, all of those,” Larson said, “that’s really the culmination of what we’re doing is money for supporting our vital districts. So, what you want is you want somebody that is here, that’s not gonna leave, not gonna move.”

Larson is a fourth generation Tillamook County native who graduated from Tillamook High School before going on to earn a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Oregon.

Following her graduation, Larson returned to Tillamook County and landed in the county assessor’s office, starting as an office specialist and working her way up to a property appraiser reviewing other appraisers’ work.

After almost 15 years with the assessor’s office, Larson decided to make a major switch in 2017, accepting the position of chief deputy assessor and tax collector. In that role, Larson has managed the other side of the office’s duties, pivoting from appraisal to tax collection.

Larson said that she accepted the position and the accompanying training to enhance her experience with an eye towards an eventual run for assessor. “I though, I want to do assessor but if I’m going to be assessor wouldn’t it be great to have both sides of the office,” Larson said.

In addition to continuing her professional advancement, Larson said that she was also drawn to the opportunity to serve the community. She noted that her grandfather had served on the boards of the Tillamook People’s Utility District and Tillamook School District and that her father had served as chaplain for the sheriff’s office, inspiring her to give back as well.

“I come from this long line of community service, like people who serve the public and volunteer their services, so I guess you could say it’s in my blood in a way,” Larson said. “I’ve just seen all the generations give back to the community here and that’s really what the core of my campaign is about, public service.”

Larson serves on the boards of the Tillamook YMCA and the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce’s non-profit foundation and was previously on the board of the Tillamook United Way.

Larson is also the vice chair of the Oregon Association of County Tax Collectors and previously represented the office on the board of property tax appeals and the county at tax court proceedings.

Larson said that she has gained valuable management experience since switching roles in 2017 and that she feels her psychology degree would help to inform her management style if elected. She said that she would prioritize open communications and helping staff to see the importance of their work. “That’s what I would say is my management philosophy is to collaborate with your staff, honor their professionalism and find a deeper purpose as a team,” Larson said.

Larson also said that she would continue to push the office to adopt technological advances and that she wants to update its website to make information more accessible to residents.

Larson pledged that she would be accessible to constituents and offer well-informed, correct interpretations on assessment issues and said that she planned to stay in Tillamook for the long haul.