JACKSON, Wyo. — Amid the commotion of candidates filing for local elections last week, one position remained conspicuously empty when the current official did not sign up for reelection.
Melissa Shinkle was first appointed as Teton County assessor in 2017, and she will not run again this year. On the final day to file for the election, two candidates emerged in the race for assessor. Norman Mellor III, an accountant, decided to throw his hat in the ring as a Republican when he saw there were no other candidates. Before the filing deadline, Democrat Ashlee Nader also joined the race.
Mellor told Buckrail that he has been in the accounting field since he graduated from the University of Utah in 1966. He believes he edges out his competition when it comes to experience. He has lived in the valley for 70 years and has “dealt with taxes and appraisals … for a long time.” He said the state has a formula that assessor’s must use, and he is prepared to follow the protocol assigned to this elected position.
The Teton County Assessor determines the value of all property within the county. This person does not decide how much is paid in taxes, simply the property value. Wyoming state law mandates and prescribes how and when assessments are performed.
