Polk County Property Appraiser

Combee: 1. Advocate for the tax payers.
2. Conduct (as soon as possible) an independent Workload-Staffing analysis to insure workload is properly and fairly distributed among office staff. It has been at least 92 years since the elected property appraiser will be coming into office from the outside. I believe a comprehensive review will be beneficial to tax payers and employees. Review current and available technology to make certain up to date.
3. Inform tax payers of all exemptions allowed by law.

Fields: Focus on making continuous improvements in service delivery to all of the customers and stakeholders of the office.
Launch a communications initiative to reach out to the public to explain the role of the office in how it serves individuals, businesses and local governments. An emphasis will be placed on making sure valuations are fair and individuals maximize the exemptions they are eligible to receive.
Be a strong advocate for private property rights and supporter of economic success

Combee: The property appraiser serves an important function for both tax payers and the taxing authorities in Polk County. I have served as a member and chairman of the Value Adjustment Board over the years and I learned it is important to listen to tax payers who have been denied exemptions or whose special circumstances have not been acknowledged. With the “mass appraisal” approach used, it is likely that special conditions are missed.

Fields: Our current Property Appraiser asked that I consider putting my collective businees and local elected official experience to work leading the office in the future as she had decided to retire. As I looked at how taking this on could add value to Polk County I decided to begin this journey. I have deep history of leadership and service to Polk County. With the help of the voters I can lead the office into the future building on the great foundation that has been put into place.

Combee: Lifelong involvement in production agriculture, dairy, beef cattle, row crop, sod, seed, hay etc
Licensed real estate sales primarily focused on agricultural properties.
County Commissioner 1988-2004
Governing Board member – chairman and officer for Southwest Florida Water Management District, a volunteer position from 2005-2011
State legislator 3 terms 2012-2014-2016 Vice-Chair State Affairs, Chairman Oversight, Transparency and Administration Committee
County Commissioner 2020-2024

Fields: Over 30 years of experience as a business owner laser focused on excellent customer service and continuous improvement every day; along with over 20 years serving as a local elected official and former Mayor of Lakeland have well prepared me to step into this important role at this time. My strong work ethic and belief in supporting the rights and ambitions of property owners will be important as well in balancing the needs of all property owners and the communities throughout the county.

Combee: There is no way to know from the outside view. One thing most people can agree on is after 92 years without an elected property appraiser who has not come up through the system, some systemic changes are likely in order.

Fields: Adequate tools are in place to work towards fair valuations. We will need to make sure that all property owners who have concerns are encouraged to contact the myself, the office team or avail themselves of the process for their valuations to be reviewed so that corrections are made where needed and they are confident we will be responsive to them.

Combee: Technology and tools change rapidly these days and it is important for the office staff to have access to proven equipment-programs-software and hardware. Most of all, the tax payers are owed the most efficient service possible.

Fields: Technology improvements will be needed in the future to assist with productivity improvements in the office operations and providing team members with advancements in the tools they need to serve our county. This will need to be done so that impacts to the budget are minimal and generate excellent returns on the investment.