Current Kootenai County assessor and lifelong Republican Béla Kovacs on Tuesday announced he will again run for the office of assessor.

Kovacs has been a Kootenai County resident for 24 years. He brings with him 20 years of administrative and leadership experience in local government and more than 20 years of experience in real estate and Fortune 100 corporate procurement.

Kovacs has served as assessor since he was unanimously appointed by the Board of Kootenai County Commissioners on May 20, 2020, to fill the vacancy left by the late Rich Houser.

Kovacs supports the 2020 Idaho Republican Party platform, what he refers to as “Idaho values.” He believes Kootenai County is the “gold standard” not only for Idaho, but for the nation.

If re-elected, Kovacs plans to continue working to ensure property values are fairly assessed and at the lowest possible level permitted by statute. He said he will advocate and testify for the passage of sensible laws and policies that are fair, balanced and promote lean and efficient government to meet the needs of the community, and which avoid shifting the tax burden from one property classification type to others.

As the former Spokane County purchasing director, Kovacs was responsible for countywide procurements of about $80 million to $120 million annually. He holds two certifications in procurement and contracting: certified purchasing manager through the Institute of Supply Management; and certified public procurement officer through the National Institute of Governmental Purchasers.

Kovacs has been a licensed real estate agent in Colorado, Washington and Idaho. He holds a bachelor of science in economics from Arizona State University. He said his education and experience have prepared him for the role of county assessor because the appraisal and assessment of property borrows many concepts and market principles from economics, mathematics and statistics.

As assessor, Kovacs has worked with his management team to prepare a five-year operational plan for the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office that he recently submitted to the Idaho State Tax Commission. It was presented to the Kootenai County Board of County Commissioners. The plan addresses the department’s staffing needs and the county’s integrated computer system for property valuation, assessment and property tax billing and collection that is utilized by the assessor and treasurer offices. Kovacs expects to have findings by the end of March that will identify necessary computer system modifications. He will then develop an overall strategic and performance management plan. He hopes to obtain county commissioners' approval to make necessary modifications and other departmental improvements to promote productivity and efficiency.

With limited availability, Kovacs will present to clubs, groups or associations. Email Bela4Assessor@gmail.com or call 208-329-6949.