“I’m announcing my candidacy for the Republican Nomination for the job of Oklahoma County Assessor” declared Larry Stein, Chief Deputy for Oklahoma County Assessor Leonard Sullivan.
“I’m proud to have been part of a successful team that is using cutting-edge technology to reduce staffing which saves Oklahoma County residents more than $4 million each year in reduced salaries and benefits. The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) estimated the Oklahoma County Assessor’s Office needed 52 more employees to set market values and maintain all the assessment records for approximately 330,000 parcels, in 720 square miles worth more than $60 Billion. A cooperative multi-city agreement means new and better quality digital aerial images at a tremendous savings to taxpayers, from $327 a square mile in 2000 to around $20 a square mile, a savings of $237, 000. A great office staff also negotiated an $81,422 savings on sending out more than 432,329 pieces of mail,” Stein said.
“Saving money every day and doing a great job! Oklahoma County earned a perfect score in 2017 from the OTC —that’s the third year in a row—where all of the duties and responsibilities of the assessor are checked by the OTC. It takes a great team to achieve a perfect score and everyone in the office is proud to be part of the team that has made that goal a reality,” Stein said.
“I’m so happy to have earned the endorsement of hundreds of friends I’ve made and those county officers I’ve worked with including my wonderful boss, ‘Mr. Conservative Republican’ Assessor Leonard Sullivan, County Commissioners Brian Maughan and Willa Johnson, County Court Clerk Rick Warren and County Clerk David B. Hooten. These members of the Budget Board are attempting to bring greater accountability and better fiscal management to county government and working with them for greater transparency to protect taxpayers has been a wonderful experience,” Stein said.
“The Oklahoma County Assessor’s Office recently unveiled an updated mapping site and our office is having meetings around the county to help educate those interested in our webpage and service oriented office. More than 13 million people visited the website last year from all around the world. The assessor’s office has earned international awards for our user-friendly website from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) and soon will be getting,” Stein said.
“I’ve been a part of helping these services being offered from the assessor’s office free of charge and available on the World Wide Web 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any company involved with county property records saves money each year by having digital access to the records they need all day. Banks, mortgage companies, commercial and residential real estate professionals save money each day by having electronic access to these records instead of the cost associated with sending staff members to the county courthouse to research and copy documents. Saving money and keeping costs to taxpayers as low as possible has been my goal working with Leonard Sullivan and a great staff. I pledge to be as frugal with taxpayers’ money as I am with my own. We have some of the most knowledgeable, helpful and courteous staff assembled anywhere to accomplish that goal,” Stein said.
In addition to helping operate and manage the assessor’s office, I’ve worked with other assessors around the state to eliminate property taxes for thousands of disabled military veterans, and reduce property taxes for retired seniors and low income home owners, Stein said.
“Assessor’s across Oklahoma worked to increase the income level allowing seniors have an assessment freeze, up from the previous $25,000 limit, achieving a TOTAL elimination of property taxes for 100 percent disabled military veteran and their surviving spouse and helping legislators understand the complicated words and process assessors across the state have in the important job of funding local schools and funding essential local government services,” Stein said. Right now in Oklahoma County 71¢ of every local property tax dollar goes to fund local teachers and local schools.
“By utilizing leading-edge computer technology, the number of assessor’s office employees has been reduced saving taxpayers millions in lower salaries and benefits costs. The Oklahoma Tax Commission estimated the Oklahoma County Assessor’s Office had 52 fewer employees to perform assessment duties. Technology and streamlining operations means a savings to taxpayers each year. In addition the assessor’s office has streamlined the staff by another 10 FTE’s and eliminated the county assessor-office-owned cars saving taxpayers more than $4 Million each year,” Stein said.
“As chief deputy, I get an opportunity to speak with lots of groups and individuals. My pledge to every group or individual I’ve spoken to here and at national events is to provide the friendliest staff with the knowledge to answer questions courteously, continue to update and provide the most information on the Oklahoma County Assessor’s internationally recognized and award-winning web site and to continue efforts to streamline the assessor’s operation to keep costs low and save taxpayers money,” Stein said.
“I’ve been part of the team to accomplish these goals and with your help, we can continue to make progress and be one of the best county offices in Oklahoma, the nation and the world. I’ve made some wonderful friends during my time working at all levels of government. I will work hard to earn the support from all my friends in both political parties to keep the Oklahoma County Assessor’s Office leading the way in being efficient, professional and courteous,” Stein said.
Stein is the only announced candidate accredited by the OTC passing all seven required courses to serve as assessor.
Stein is an Air Force Brat and grew up in Midwest City and graduated from Midwest City High School. He earned an Associates Degree from Rose State College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Oklahoma in Journalism. Stein earned The National Press Club Award for Consumer Journalism and two ADDY awards for his promotional photography and campaign and consulting work.
Stein worked as the State Capitol Bureau Chief for KTOK and the statewide Oklahoma News Network and hosted a statewide OETA broadcast about the weekly events at the state capitol. Stein helped write the Open Records and Open Meeting Law for the state and is committed to public accountability, open meetings and open records. Stein worked for Tom Cole, Governor Henry Bellmon, Citizens for a Sound Economy (a national conservative group), Mary Fallin and others committed to conservative government principles, accountability, transparency and openness.
A resident of Edmond, Stein is currently president of his neighborhood association and a member of the Edmond Neighborhood Alliance. He has volunteered hundreds of hours to help Upward Transitions and donated his time and money to other charitable groups to help veterans, battered spouses and their families.
