
By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Continuing education is a cost associated with several professions, including county property appraisers. During Tuesday's Barton County Commission meeting, Appraiser Wendy Prosser sought permission from the board for her and two other licensed staffers to attend a rare continuing education opportunity out of state.
"Our International Association of Assessing Officers, also known as IAAO, annual conference is the premier platform for us to share successes, discover best practices, and learn about the latest research in the field of property appraisal. The annual conference is going to take place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver Aug. 25-28."
The conference will offer approximately 60 educational sessions. NFL Hall of Famer and former Denver Bronco Terrell Davis will be the keynote speaker. Prosser said continuing education is a large part of her office's budget each year, and the opportunity to attend a similar conference in future years is likely out of the question as they are scheduled for Florida, Canada, and North Carolina. This is room for the training in this year's budget.
"For 2024, it was anticipated we were going to lose a few of our longtime employees, and the new hires would need to be sent to the required classes for our office," she said. "However, fortunately for us, plans have changed for us and we are not going to lose our long-term staff."
Commission Chair Barb Esfeld, the longtime appraiser before Prosser, said conferences like this can actually save the county money.
"You get the best teachers and you're there every day and just keep going to class," Esfeld said. "You're getting your hours and not driving back and forth to Topeka."
Prosser said an employee from another county will likely join Barton County to help offset the cost of accommodations.