Misty Kitson is a candidate for Blaine County Tas Assessor. She is a graduate of Watonga High School and a lifelong resident of the county, excepting time spent away at school.
Following graduation, Kitson went to Redlands Community College before changing to cosmetology school. She has been a small business owner at Prestige Hair Salon and worked as an administrative assistant at Geary High School. She also worked for Abstract and Guaranty of Blaine County while practicing cosmetology.
In 2021, Kitson took a job at the assessor’s office as a field deputy and assisting in other capacities as needed.
Kitson feels the qualities she has will be an asset to the office, if elected. “I will bring strong leadership, customer service skills and a professional and outgoing demeanor to the office. I am organized and self-motivated.”
Kitson said there have been issues with the new system that she believes can be eliminated with more training. She would also implement cross training so that staff can assist any customer.
“I trained … in mobile home transfers, farm permits, ownership and mapping,” Kitson said. “I have helped with assessments, and I’ve dealt with insurance companies.”
Kitson wants to return to one of the office’s pre-Covid practices, going to towns around the county rather than the taxpayers coming to the office. The traveling offices would be held during the first quarter of the year, during tax time. They would spend one or two days in the towns, working on assessments and other services for the citizens.
Her motivation to run was empathy with property owners. “As a business and property owner I understand how it feels to be on the other side of the desk. My taxes go up too,” she said.
“But I love my job, and that is why I’m running.”