Franklin County commissioners appoint Kathy Syler interim property assessor

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners appointed Kathy Syler as the county's interim property assessor on Sept. 18, 2023, following nominations and a roll‑call vote.

Mayor Chris Guess called the meeting to order and the board opened nominations for the interim post. Commissioner Scottie Riddle nominated Kathy Syler and Commissioner Dale Schultz nominated William (Billy) Anderson. The commission voted to approve the appointment process; William Anderson abstained from that procedural motion. Each nominee was given five minutes to address the commission. When asked whether she intended to run in the next election, Syler said she would not, saying she wanted to serve only until the next elected assessor took office.

After speeches the board held a roll‑call vote. Syler received 12 votes and Anderson received three (Commissioners Dale Schultz, Bruce McMillan and Spike Hosch). The clerk recorded the vote and Syler was appointed to fill the position until an elected assessor assumes the office.

The appointment came near the start of the Sept. 18 meeting and was handled as part of the board's business agenda. There were no recorded motions to reconsider the appointment during the session; the board then moved on to a public‑hearing agenda item on rezoning and a package of budget and administrative resolutions later in the meeting.

The commission did not set a date at the meeting for a permanent election of the property assessor; county statutes and the county's election schedule will control the next steps for a contested election, if any.