Jamie Homeyer of Salem was sworn in as the new Dent County Assessor Dec. 31 to replace the retiring Tina Whitaker. The oath of office was administered by 42nd Circuit Judge Megan Seay. Homeyer began her new duties Thursday.
Homeyer has a background in real estate, earning her license in 2005. She has worked for VIP Properties in Salem for the last 14 years. She ran unsuccessfully for assessor in 2008 against Brenda Bell, an incumbent of over 30 years.
After that, she concentrated on real estate. It’s been lucrative, she said, but she believes her background in real estate values, a degree in business administration, and her work in customer service and managing her husband’s office have prepared her well for her new role. “I think all of those things combined will be what will make me a great assessor,” she said.
“Two years ago, I went ahead and got my broker’s license, not to open my own office but just in case, you never know if you want to venture out and do something on your own,” she said. “Then my husband (Mike) got his license and I’m going transfer all my clients to him and concentrate on doing a great job for Dent County.”
Homeyer was appointed by the county commission Monday after interviewing for the position. The Republican Central Committee also interviewed her and other candidates Dec. 27 before recommending Homeyer for permanent appointment by Gov. Mike Parson to serve out Whitaker’s term. The term ends in September of next year.
Homeyer has the option to file for assessor in the upcoming county primary in August. If elected in November, her new term would begin the following September. Assessor terms are staggered in Missouri to start in September instead of January.
Presiding commissioner Darrell Skiles said commissioners, according to state statutes, must appoint someone to fill the vacancy within 14 days. “But to us it was important, if we felt good about a person to fill it, to go ahead and get it done and get them in so they can be starting work down there. People are bringing in their assessment lists and need help with those.”
Homeyer expressed an interest in the opening after Whitaker announced in August that she planned to retire Dec 31. “Jamie was back in (to see commissioners) Monday morning and indicated if she was appointed by the commission, she was ready to start immediately,” Skiles said. “And Tina, the retiring assessor, is willing to help out as much as she can. We felt it was in the best interest of the citizens to get it done.”
He added, “The other candidates were in last week and we talked to them, too. We just felt Jamie was the best person for the job. We think she’ll do a great job serving the citizens.”
The governor is expected to make the appointment permanent around the middle of February.
