Once upon a time, when Arnie Fontes first became county
assessor, he knew almost all of the residents in San Benito
County.
Hollister – Once upon a time, when Arnie Fontes first became county assessor, he knew almost all of the residents in San Benito County.
But that was 34 years ago, and now, Fontes said, things have changed.
“The county’s growing so fast it seems like I don’t know most people any more,” he said.
A lot has changed since Fontes was appointed San Benito County assessor in 1970, but throughout eight elections his presence in the county courthouse has been constant. As the longest-standing assessor in the state of California, he said, Fontes is preparing to wrap up more than 34 years on the job – no small feat in San Benito County, where voters have proven they’re not shy about ousting incumbent elected officials.
“I’ve always enjoyed this job. I’ve had no problem coming to work every morning,” said Fontes, who will retire on Jan. 31. When an assessor retires, he added, the board of supervisors appoints a replacement, but it’s up to the voters to keep him in office every election year. Fontes has recommended the board appoint Tom Slavich, his assistant, for the balance of his term, which ends Dec. of 2006.
San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chairman Reb Monaco said while he was sad to see Fontes go, he had nothing but praise for the retiring assessor.
“He has a long reputation, and he’s done an outstanding job of running the office. He’s very service-oriented to the community, which is important when you’re talking about having to deal with people who have negative feelings about property taxes. He really sets the tone for the rest of the department,” Monaco said.
Fontes accredits his longevity to two factors; one being that he ran unopposed in eight elections, and the other being that his position falls into the category of “a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.”
The county assessor evaluates all taxable properties in the county for property tax purposes. This means, on occasion, Fontes is the one people complain to when they think their property taxes are too high.
“It’s mostly just new property owners who don’t really understand property taxes,” Fontes explained. “But that was mostly before 1978, when Proposition 13 passed. Now the most your property taxes can go up is two percent a year. That made my job… not easier, but more consistent.”
Fontes has been a resident of San Benito County all his life. He went to local schools, participated in the Baler band, ran track and field, and graduated from the University of Santa Clara in 1955 with a degree in business. After graduating from college, Fontes joined the Army and spent the better part of two years stationed in Germany, but saw no action.
“It was peacetime, between Korea and Vietnam,” he explained.
In 1957 he returned to San Benito County, where he spent the next 13 years working for McCormick-Selph and Leatherback industries.
Then, on Sept. 1, 1970, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors appointed him county assessor, and he’s been reelected to the position ever since.
“I’m going to miss this job; it’s been a great experience. I’ve had a great staff, and I’ve outlasted most of them,” he said with a laugh.
Now that his tenure is up, Fontes said he’s looking forward to traveling with his wife, Helga, and to being able to sit back and think about his options.
“We’re not sure what we want to do; we just want to look at our choices and see what looks good and what doesn’t look good,” Fontes said.
He added he’d also stay active in the Rotary club, the Community Foundation and the local Boy Scouts.
“When I was a kid, my parents had an apricot and walnut farm, and when you came home there was plenty for you to do. You had to work,” Fontes said. “Now kids don’t have that, so I think they need programs, really interesting programs, to keep them out of trouble.”
Jessica Quandt covers politics for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or at [email protected].
