Clallam County approves temporary change to assessor customer hours; board adds reporting requirements

The Clallam County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 12 to continue a temporary change in customer service hours for the county assessor’s office through Oct. 1, 2025, and to require the assessor’s office to provide periodic workload data and pursue organizational options with Human Resources.

Why it matters: The change, initially adopted earlier this year after the loss of one full-time equivalent in the assessor’s office and rising backlog in senior property tax exemption applications, reduces daily public-facing hours to 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Thursday with the office closed to in-person visits and calls after 3 p.m. and closed to the public on Fridays. Commissioners said the added data and reorganization review are meant to show progress addressing the backlog and to provide transparency for the public and the board.

Inverted pyramid details: County staff summarized that the assessor’s altered schedule has been in place about six months and stemmed from an FTE reduction during budget adoption. Commissioners at the Aug. 12 meeting proposed that the resolution extending the hours include specific reporting milestones: (1) the assessor’s office provide workload data related to the backlog covering at least the previous two months for initial review by Sept. 1, 2025; (2) provide updated workload data for review by Sept. 22, 2025; and (3) continue to work with Human Resources to explore a formal reorganization consistent with recommendations from union representatives.

During the discussion several commissioners stressed they did not intend to direct the independent elected assessor’s office on daily operations but wanted public metrics so the board and residents could track progress. County legal/staff counsel also noted the county charter and collective bargaining processes apply to reorganizations and that impact bargaining with unions may be required.

Public comment: Multiple members of the public raised concerns during the meeting, asking whether the assessor is accountable to the commissioners and urging greater transparency. One commenter asked that any changes not be decided without input from residents. Another urged the board not to “micromanage” the assessor and to recognize office staff have increased workload after budget reductions.

Outcome/next steps: The modified resolution carried on an affirmative vote. The resolution as approved temporarily sets the altered hours through Oct. 1, 2025, and requires the assessor’s office to deliver the specified workload reports and to continue discussions with Human Resources and union representatives about possible reorganization.

Tapered ending: The board said the data will inform whether further changes to hours or other steps are required; the reporting deadlines place follow-up discussion before the board’s October meetings.