Soaring property values and taxes, paired with rising insurance costs and affordability angst, have made property owners more vigilant than ever about their tax bills. Against that backdrop, voters will go to the polls in November to elect a Miami-Dade Property Appraiser. For the first time, the appraiser will be elected in a partisan race and operate independently of county government. The property appraiser’s office sets taxable values for all properties in Miami-Dade, calculations that set annual tax bills based on rates set by local governments.
As current Property Appraiser Pedro Garcia steps down, the race to replace him is between Republican Tomás Regalado, 76, a former mayor of Miami and a well-known Spanish-language television and radio personality, and Democrat Marisol Zenteno, 57, a 10-year veteran of the property appraiser’s office and a certified property assessor.
Zenteno unsuccessfully ran against Garcia in 2020 but is running again because “the office has not improved; we still have so many inefficiencies.” The Miami-Dade Property Appraiser’s office, which has historically operated behind the scenes, is facing more scrutiny today.
Zenteno has never held political office or managed a large department. While the Miami Herald Editorial Board endorsed Zenteno in her first campaign, we believe this time, the job requires someone with a public persona, experience running large organizations and a history of community involvement. We believe that person is Regalado.
He brings executive-level experience — running the city of Miami from 2009 to 2017 — and the depth of knowledge needed to oversee the appraisal system that affects every property owner in our community, currently feeling a tremendous pinch.
Zenteno argues that the office does not need “a politician.” Regalado, though, brings his political experience to bear on his vision of the job. “I think the most consequential crisis we have now is housing and appraisal of property values is a crucial part,” he said.
If elected, he said he would make it a priority to travel to Tallahassee and advocate for a larger homestead exemption for homeowners, which some might consider a pipe dream. “The current amount of $25,000 has been on the books for 50 years; it’s no longer viable to have that low a discount,” Regalado told the Editorial Board. It is refreshing that Regalado’s first goal is to provide relief to homeowners. “I want to be “an advocate administrator fighting for homeowners.”
Zenteno said Regalado is holding out false hope on increasing exemptions. “That can only be done by a constitutional amendment or legislative action. It’s pretty to say you can do this, but the property appraiser cannot,” she told the Board. She is correct.
Regalado — father of Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who is also on the ballot as she seeks reelection — vowed that as property appraiser.
He also aims to incorporate climate change considerations into property appraising — an idea that deserves attention. In contrast, Zenteno seemed more conservative in her approach, saying, “The data has to indicate the impact, which it has not up to now.”
At one point, Zenteno seemed irked by those who appeal their property value assessments because that takes up a lot of time and energy in her office. She, unfortunately, referred to those property owners as “repeat offenders.”
“The office is just not equipped to handle so many appeals,“she said. Zenteno explained that the county loses “$3 to $4 billion a year” to these appeals, which totaled about 66,000 a year.
Zenteno has hands-on property appraisal experience and has worked in the office for a decade, which gives her a strong grasp of how the place works. But Regalado, who says his age just means he has more experience, comes with fresh eyes, deep understanding of community dynamics, and empathy for property owners needed at this time. His ability to navigate the political landscape and his media background positions him well to communicate effectively with stakeholders and residents. He can become their voice.
Regalado also wants to make the office more transparent, modernize its online services and work toward greater efficiency with extended hours, mobile units and more offices. He aims to make the appraisal process more user-friendly to ensure that it is fair and equitable for all property owners.
While Zenteno is the more knowledgeable property appraiser, Regalado’s varied and broader experience makes him best suited for the office.
The Miami Herald endorses TOMAS REGALADO for Miami-Dade Property Appraiser.