That makes it official

FARMINGTON – Curt Boyer took the oath of office shortly after noon Friday as the new county assessor.

Family and friends, including State Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, and State Rep. Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, were present for the short ceremony which took place in the county commissioners’ office between the American and state flags. County Clerk Mark Hedrick administered the oath of office.

Boyer was appointed to the position by the governor after long-time assessor, Damon Black died May 24.

He will run for election for the two-year assessor position in November of 2006 but his appointed term doesn’t expire until September of 2007.

Boyer said he spent his first day looking over the assessor’s budget and reviewing where they are with the Board of Equalization, which reviews disputed property values every year starting on the second Monday in July.

He said the staff will remain the same.

“They are good at what they do,” he said.

Boyer, who ran unsuccessfully for the 107th District of the House of Representatives in November, said he believes his career as a CPA for the past 25 years has prepared him for the job. He believes he will be able to learn the ins and outs of the job pretty quickly.

Boyer has been doing audits for government agencies for many years, experience he says will serve him well in the office of county assessor.

He graduated from Central High School in 1976 and obtained business-related degrees from Mineral Area College and William Jewell. After graduating from the latter in 1978, he headed to national CPA firm Main LaFrentz, now known as KPMG Peat Marwick. He was employed for two years by the Big 8 firm Pouche Ross for two years, after which he opened Boyer and Associates in Park Hills.

His brother is a partner in the business and Boyer says he will continue to work in the firm as much as he can.

He has said he will continue to keep taxes as low as possible for the citizens.