Hello. My name is Joseph Trenary and I want to be your candidate for Berkeley County Assessor in West by God Virginia. I am a graduate of Musselman High School and have over four years of experience running a family plumbing business with my father and brother. As a dedicated resident of Berkeley County, I am devoted to making my county and my community a better place for its residents, both new and life-long. If elected, I would bring a younger, fresher perspective to the county as well as an open-mindedness to work with the public.

Essentially, the assessor is an elected official who has the responsibility of evaluating all property within a county, including real estate and personal property, based on the rules and regulations set by state tax laws. An assessor can serve a continuous rotation of four-year terms, having the option to run for re-election during primary and general elections.

In Berkeley County, the assessor's office has many different departments to meet the needs of such a populous area. Berkeley County is the fastest growing county in the state of West Virginia and is among the fastest growing counties in the country. The recent U.S. census revealed our county to have a population just south of 130,000 residents.

Having spoken to many local residents, concerns have been raised about the recent increases in property values, causing many tax increases to citizens. One of the only tax breaks in the county is the Homestead Act, a $20,000 tax credit applied to the assessed value of a home. This credit saves qualified residents approximately $200-$250 off their annual tax bill, but for many, this is not enough. I would love the opportunity to work diligently with local and state officials to raise the Homestead Act to alleviate the strain on our elderly population who helped build this community and now live on limited income.

In addition, as times have changed, so has the availability and convenience of technology. It is apparent there is a lack of updated technology available within the local assessor’s office. Not to mention, how many residents have dealt with the long lines in the office every summer? With limited parking and handicapped capabilities, it can make things difficult for some people to make it into the office to get assistance with their needs. If elected, I plan to streamline modern technology to make it simple to access our resources and services quickly, easily, and efficiently for the public—whether in the office or online. I would ensure that every taxpayer was left with outstanding customer service at every turn with a dedicated, professional, and knowledgeable staff to meet the needs of the public.

As assessor I will be fully committed to working on issues, no matter how difficult, that bring positive changes to the county and not being satisfied until the job is done to the best of my ability.