LEE COUNTY, Fla. – Lee County’s longest-serving political determine is asking it quits. Property Appraiser Ken Wilkinson is retiring after 40 years in workplace.

The vast majority of us weren’t even dwelling right here when he first received elected in 1980.

Since 1887, Lee County has had a complete of 11 completely different property appraisers. For the final 40 years, Ken Wilkinson has had the job. However he determined this week it is time to retire.

Wilkinson mentioned he doesn’t imagine he’s wanted as a lot as he as soon as was, just like among the dated tools that was as soon as utilized in his workplace. The 75-year-old factors out that when he assumed the job, the workplace didn’t even have a pc.

In 1980 when he received elected, CNN Cable Information had simply launched and Jimmy Carter was president. The Rubik’s Dice and Pac-Man had been simply launched.

When requested what lastly made him resolve to retire, he laughed and mentioned the actual fact he has been in workplace for 40 years was one motive.

Wilkinson had 10 profitable elections and he was solely challenged as soon as in 2008.

“I am unsure if it is as a result of I am doing a fantastic job or who the hell desires the job,” Wilkinson joked.

Lee County’s inhabitants was simply over 205,000 and it is now approaching 750-thousand.

“In 1980, once I took over the tax roll, when you needed to purchase all of Lee County, all of the sticks and bricks and dust [it would cost you] $4.5 billion. January 1st of 2007 we had been $118 billion,” he famous.

Then the financial system tanked in 2007 and Lee County misplaced 40 p.c of its tax rolls.

“Thank the Lord for Save our Houses, as a result of I believe that helped us get by that,” Wilkinson mentioned.

It was one among a number of payments he authored which caps property taxes.

He’s additionally fondly known as the Father of the Homestead Exemption.

“There’s a number of stress that comes with it since you’re thought of the tax man,” he laughed.

The latest development solely now’s displaying restoration as Wilkinson identified the tax roll his workplace is engaged on proper now will get the county’s tax roll again to $118 billion.

He is now working with fewer workers all the way down to 78 from 130.

And he sees that his profession has come full circle as he is set to depart workplace on the finish of 2020.

“I can go away with my head held excessive and I really feel very pleased with this workplace,” Wilkinson mentioned.

The job did not come with out scars.

Wilkinson had an affair along with his chief deputy, who then sued for sexual harassment in 2002.

Taxpayers paid her $10,000 for psychological anguish.

The couple paid the county again greater than $30,000 a yr later.

The massive query now’s who will turn out to be property appraiser #12? 

Ken Wilkinson mentioned he would endorse Matt Caldwell for the job. Caldwell was a former state consultant who ran unsuccessfully for the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Caldwell confirmed for NBC-2 that he’s eyeing the place.

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