Updated: A Franklin County Republican resigns mid term. He’s tired of the ‘political climate’
Franklin County’s elected assessor resigned Tuesday, citing the demands of his office and the current political climate.
Peter McEnderfer, a Republican, is in the middle of his first term. He was elected in 2018 and had two years left to serve.
But McEnderfer — who has worked for the county for 21 1/2 years — said while he intended to fulfill that obligation through 2022, it now is time to move on.
His resignation is effective at the end of January.
McEnderfer, 54, read his letter during Tuesday’s virtual meeting of the Franklin County Commission.
Newly selected Chairman Clint Didier and County Administrator Keith Johnson both said they were surprised by McEnderfer’s announcement.
After the meeting, McEnderfer told the Tri-City Herald that he does not have “an axe to grind” with Franklin County and was disappointed it came to this, both for himself and his 10 staff members.
He said the divided community and the political polarization in the country right now makes it hard for officials to do their jobs. People have a right to their opinion and ideologies, but also need to respect those with differing views, he said.
McEnderer pointed to recent protests led by Benton/Franklin Let Us Work and Patriot Prayer outside of a state liquor control agent’s Kennewick home, the Franklin County Courthouse and Commissioner Brad Peck’s Pasco home.
He said he previously served as the executive secretary of the Franklin County Republican Party for four to five years and was the delegate at the state convention, but no longer thinks his political perspective is in line with the local party.
However, in the end, this decision had nothing to do with Republican or Democrat but the fact it’s time to leave because McEnderfer said he no longer has the passion or energy to do the difficult job.
“It’s a quality of life choice for me more than anything else. I have a family that I love dearly and I’m going to do whatever I can to protect them and take care of them,” he said. “We might be public officials, but we’re still human beings and we have a right to make a choice.”
Assessor job
The assessor’s job is to calculate the taxable value of property and validate the tax rates for each of the taxing jurisdictions in Franklin County. Those districts include the county itself, along with the cities, ports, and fire, cemetery, hospital and library districts.
Tuesday was the board’s first meeting of the new year, and McEnderfer was on the agenda for an “assessor update.”
“First of all let me thank all of you gentleman for your time, and the county administrator, as well. I appreciate the opportunity,” he said.
McEnderfer told the commissioners that over more than two decades with the county, he progressed from a residential appraiser to the chief appraiser for 15 years to the elected appraiser the past two years. He ran for office in 2018 when predecessor Steve Marks retired.
“After much reflection and deliberation, I am informing you of my resignation as the Franklin County assessor, effective Jan. 31, 2021,” he said.
“Due to the extensive demands of the office, lack of resources and the current political climate in Franklin County, I no longer feel I can complete the remainder of my term to the best of my abilities.”
McEnderfer said in the next 26 days he will complete the levy calculation process for the 2021 tax roll and help with the transition of a new assessor has been selected.
“I will not be able to provide any assistance after Jan. 31, 2021, as I will be beginning a new chapter in my life,” McEnderfer closed.
He currently has an opportunity to work for another municipality, outside of the assessment field, but did not want to disclose those details.
Didier, who participate in the virtual meeting by phone, said, “That comes with a bit of surprise, but I truly honor your decision and I understand that you probably are wanting to get on in life and do something in the private sector.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2021 at 11:27 AM.