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Sedgwick County names Deanna Espadone its county appraiser; cites staffing and training as top priorities
Summary
Deanna Espadone, a 27-year Sedgwick County Appraisers Office veteran, was introduced as the county's new appraiser. She outlined staffing shortfalls, a parcel workload of 243,780 properties, oversight by the Property Valuation Department and advice for taxpayers considering appeals.
Deanna Espadone, who has worked in the Sedgwick County Appraisers Office for 27 years, was introduced as the county's new appraiser and said on the county program that retaining and training staff will be a top priority.
"I have actually been at the county for 27 years in the Sedgwick County Appraisers Office," Espadone said, outlining a career that included work as a field appraiser in agriculture and residential property, roles as field manager and project leader, and recent responsibility for data and land-use extractions coordinated with Sedgwick County GIS. Jeff Lubalt, speaking as a county commission representative, conducted the interview.
Espadone told viewers the office employs about 70 people but is "not fully staffed" and is working with human resources and finance to fill openings, including the project leader job she vacated. She described appraisal work as "very unique" and said it typically takes "about 3 to 5 years" for staff to become fully proficient.
Addressing workload, Espadone said, "what our parcel count right now, to be exact, is 243,780." She noted that appraisals are governed by state statute and that the Property Valuation Department (PVD) provides oversight and compliance checks against industry standards.
When asked how taxpayers can improve the chances of a successful appeal, Espadone recommended bringing documentation that shows interior or condition issues not visible from the exterior (for example, a leaking foundation), sales comparables that the county’s systems may miss, leases for agricultural parcels, and income/expense statements or rent rolls for commercial properties.
Espadone also described recent and anticipated retirements and experience loss in the office, saying the county has lost "a lot of experience recently" and that succession and retention are pressing concerns. She praised commissioners’ efforts to address salaries to help retain staff.
On a lighter note, Espadone shared personal details, saying she and her husband ride a Harley-Davidson and often travel by motorcycle; she said they usually ride about 10,000 miles a year and plan a trip to Glacier in Canada. Lubalt and Espadone provided contact emails during the program: Lubalt said Jeff.blueball@sedgwick.gov and Espadone gave deanna.aspidon@sedgwick.gov.
The interview concluded with Lubalt thanking Espadone for joining the program.
