Vote for Vickie Downs

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About:

I am a seasoned public servant with deep roots in Collier County. Born in Michigan City, Indiana, I made Florida my home in 1968, drawn to its warm climate and vibrant community spirit. Since then, I have become an integral part of the fabric of Collier County, dedicating myself to serving its residents with integrity and passion.

Experience:

With over 30 years of experience in the Collier County Property Appraiser's office, I have cultivated an unparalleled understanding of the intricacies of property assessment and valuation. Starting from the ground up, I have worked tirelessly to climb the ranks, earning the respect and admiration of my colleagues along the way. Currently serving as Chief Deputy, my leadership and expertise have been instrumental in shaping the office's policies and practices.

Technical:

Over the years, I've been responsible for managing all technical processes within our office. Additionally, I've played a key role in fostering strong relationships between our office and various Collier County departments, including constitutional officers, addressing, permitting, growth management, and building and zoning.

Advocacy:

In my career, I've seen how property appraisal practices affect homeowners and businesses. This drove me to enter politics, aiming for fairness, transparency, equity, and accountability in assessments. Accurate valuations are crucial for fair taxation and economic growth. I advocate for using technology and data-driven methods to improve efficiency and accuracy in appraisals.

Mission:

Our website stands as a model of accessibility, reaching not only our local community but also extending its utility across the United States. My commitment to an "open door" policy ensures that public input remains a cornerstone of our approach. Together with our dedicated staff, we uphold an unwavering dedication to providing the highest caliber of customer service. We deeply value feedback from the public and other agencies, which consistently affirms the exceptional standard of service we strive to maintain.

Future:

Moving forward, my goal is to elevate the technological infrastructure by implementing advancements such as mobile drawing systems for our appraisers and introducing new interactive features to enhance our website. I also plan to further improve our GIS mapping system by incorporating additional features and refining our mapping capabilities for enhanced in-house functionality.