>> THIS IS A SPECIAL THING BECAUSE THE BIGGEST THING WE ARE ABLE TO GET BACK OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND LET FOLKS HEAR THE VOICES.

HERE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY, HERE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE.

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS I CAN MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IN THE APPRAISER TO NOT ONLY EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY, UNDERSTAND THE LEON COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER JOB AND DUTY AND CONCERNS, BUT ALSO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I MADE A DIFFERENCE TO THIS COMMUNITY THE LAST 30-40 YEARS IN TALLAHASSEE AND I WANT TO KEEP MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND IMPROVE EVERYTHING IN LEON COUNTY WE CAN TO HELP THE CITIZENS OF TALLAHASSEE.

>> THANK YOU.

STICKING WITH YOU, WHAT CHALLENGES UNIQUE TO THE LEON COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE.

30 SECONDS, KEN PRESTON.

>> Ken Preston: NOT ONLY LETTING EVERYBODY JOB -- KNOW THE JOB OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, BUT EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY.

LET THEM KNOW WHAT EXEMPTIONS ARE OUT THERE.

HOW WE ASSESS PROPERTIES.

HOW WE ARE NOT THE ONES THAT SET THE TAX RATES AND THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS THAT REALLY JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

I THINK THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OFFICE THE ONES THAT COME UP AND RAISE THESE TAXES EVERY YEAR AND THIS AND THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

AKIN, SAME QUESTION.

>> Akin Akinyemi: I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS TO CONTINUE TO GATHER ACCURATE DATA SO WE CAN FAIRLY AND EQUITABLY ASSESS PROPERTIES.

WAY THAT IN OUR DECISION PROCESS.

ALSO, THE LEGISLATOR CHANGES QUITE OFTEN AND I'M VERY ACTIVE IN THAT PROCESS IS THE PAST PRESIDENT OF ASSOCIATION TOWARD LEGISLATORS TO STOP BAD BILLS AND PROMOTE GOOD BILLS AND ONCE THE BILL IS PASSED WE HAVE TO COMPILE IT TO WHAT WE DO.

>> THANK YOU.

ESTAR AKINYEMI, WIRE YOU THE RIGHT AND AT IT FOR VOTERS AND WHY IS YOUR OPPONENT THE WRONG CHOICE?

>> Akin Akinyemi: AGAIN, I HAVE WHAT I CALL THE BROADEST EXPERIENCE.

I SAID THIS IN 2016.

BACK THEN HAD BETTER DEPTH AS FAR AS PERSON IS CONCERNED.

BUT THIS JOB IS A LEADERSHIP JOB.

HAVING BEEN A COMMISSIONER THAT SETS RIGHT AND ARCHITECT THAT CAN EVALUATE PROPERTY A LOT MORE DEPTH THAN APPRAISER WAS, I FELT I WAS THE BEST CANDIDATE.

I'VE BEEN ON THE JOB FOR SEVEN YEARS.

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND I'M NOT ONLY ABLE TO MANAGE AND LEAD, BUT ALSO TO MOTIVATE AND HELP MY STAFF TO BE THE BEST THAT YOU CAN.

I REMEMBER YOUR COMMENT BACK IN 2016 THAT MAYBE AKIN IS NOT THE BEST FOR THE JOB BECAUSE HE'S A MOTIVATOR AND INNOVATOR AND THAT PROVED TO BE THE CASE.

THAT PROVED TO BE THE EDGE IN THAT CASE.

REGARDING MY OPPONENT, YOU HAVE TO ASK HIS REASONS BECAUSE I THINK HIS REASONS ARE ILL-DEFINED.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU.

MR.

PERSON, WHY ARE YOU THE RIGHT CANDIDATE AND WHY IS YOUR OPPONENT THE WRONG CHOICE?

>> Ken Preston: I THINK I'M THE RIGHT CANDIDATE BECAUSE LEADERSHIP IS IMPORTANT.

20 YEARS OF SUPERVISORY OTHER OFFICE, I THINK I HAVE THE LEADERSHIP NOT ONLY TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

TO MAKE SURE WE PUT A VISION TOGETHER, AND NOT ONLY VISION, BUT STAFF AND EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME SHEET OF MUSIC TO DO THESE THINGS.

THE OPPONENT IS A NICE GUY.

ARCHITECT AND SOME OF THESE OTHER THINGS I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT ADDS UP TO BEING A PROPERTY APPRAISER, BUT I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY BAD ABOUT EARNING THESE DIFFERENT DEGREES, BUT I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THING IS LEADERSHIP AND EXPERIENCE AND IT MATTERS.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU.

ONE LAST QUESTION FROM ME.

THIS IS A HIGHLY TECHNICAL PROFESSION THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

SOME POSSIBLY DON'T CARE ABOUT.

WHY SHOULD THEY CARE?

30 SECONDS, MR. PRESTON.

>> Ken Preston: THE BIGGEST THING IS A LOT OF PEOPLE, THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE, A LOT OF FOLKS JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER AND DON'T UNDERSTAND.

BUT A LOT OF THAT COMES FROM EDUCATION AND BEING ABLE TO GET INTO THE COMMUNITY AND GIVING THEM UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE.

WITHOUT THAT, A LOT OF FOLKS WOULDN'T TAKE THIS PROPERTY APPRAISER OFFICE SERIOUS, BUT IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT WE BRING TO THE TABLE TO GIVE TAXING AUTHORITIES TO MAKE TALLAHASSEE BEAUTIFUL AND KEEPING IT GOOD.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

MR. AKINYEMI, SAME QUESTION.

>> Akin Akinyemi: EVERY PEOPLES HOME IS THEIR BIGGEST INVESTMENT.

FOR LEON COUNTY GOVERNMENT, 56% COME FROM OUR DEPARTMENT.

SO YEAH, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TECHNICAL JOB.

I'M A VERY TECHNICAL PERSON BY TRAINING.

I DON'T MEAN TO BRAG.

I HAVE FIVE DIFFERENT DEGREES INCLUDING MASTER OF PLANNING.

ARCHITECTURE KNOW HOW IN-DEPTH AND RELEVANT THIS IS.

NOT TO MENTION TECHNOLOGY.

AS SOON AS I GOT TO THIS JOB, I GOT MORE CERTIFICATION.

SO YEAH, TECHNICAL IS IMPORTANT AND I'M DEFTLY THE MOST EXPERIENCED IN THAT REGARD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I HAVE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS HERE ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

THEY WERE SUGGESTED BY THE TALLAHASSEE LEON COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

SO WE'LL START WITH YOU, MR. AKINYEMI.

IF ANY CHANGES - - LET'S SEE.

WHAT, IF ANY CHANGES WILL YOU MAKE TO THE LEON COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER'S WEBSITE TO IMPROVE THE USER'S EXPERIENCE?

45 SECONDS.

>> Akin Akinyemi: FIRST, LET ME SHOUT OUT TO KELLY HELPING -- I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

- - DEPARTMENT OF TWO PEOPLE AND GET THE COMMUNITY AND OUTREACH AND EVERYBODY NOW KNOWS US AND THEY KNOW WHAT I DO, SO I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.

BUT BEYOND THAT, WE CONTINUE TO INNOVATE.

WE'VE JUST BEEN TOLD YESTERDAY WE ARE GOING TO GET AN AWARD IN DENVER FOR BEING THE BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGING DEPARTMENT IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

NOT JUST IN FLORIDA.

SO I'M AN INNOVATOR AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE CHANGES.

IF YOU'VE BEEN IN THAT WEBSITE JUST IN THE LAST MONTH, WE HAVE MODIFIED IT TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE.

>> Trish Neely: THANK YOU.

MR. PRESTON?

>> Ken Preston: WHAT THE WEBSITE, THAT'S BEEN A BIG KEY.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT REALTORS AND INVESTORS AND COMMON EVERYDAY JOE THESE DAYS.

YOU NEED TO HAVE A WEBSITE THAT YOU'RE NOT CHANGING TWO AND THREE AND FOUR TIMES A YEAR.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S USER-FRIENDLY WHERE ANYONE, WHETHER THEY ARE USING THIS EVERY DAY WERE USING IT EVERY NOW AND THEN THAT CAN GET ON THAT SITE AND BE ABLE TO GET TO THE DATA THEY NEED.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T MAKE IT USER-FRIENDLY, HE GETS COMPLICATED.

I MEAN, YOU HAVE REALTORS AND INVESTORS NOW THAT QUESTION ALL THE TIME OH, WHY IS THIS LAYER THERE.

>> Akin Akinyemi: I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO THAT, PLEASE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO KEEP GOING AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND IN THE NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS HERE.

>> Trish Neely: MR. PRESTON, WE WILL STAY ON YOU.

HOW DO YOU RATE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WOULD YOU MAKE ANY CHANGES TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE APPRAISAL PROCESS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS?

45 SECONDS.

>> Ken Preston: THE CUSTOMER SERVICE, YOU KNOW, I CAME IN UNDER GREAT LEADER BERNARDS FILLED 22 YEARS AGO.

YOU COULDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING BETTER THAN THAT.

TRULY CUSTOMER SERVICE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS.

AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF MY STRENGTHS IS CUSTOMER SERVICE.

MADE SURE THEN THAT IT WAS THERE AND IT WAS AN A+ THEN.

I THINK RIGHT NOW THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THERE COULD BE CLOSER TO A C. THE BIGGEST THING THERE IS JUST THE TRAINING, BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE EMPLOYEES WITHOUT HAVING A REVOLVING DOOR IN AND OUT TYPE OF DEAL.

AND TRANSPARENCY, WE HAVE TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE.

PEOPLE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTION THEY WANT TO.

>> Trish Neely: THANK YOU.

SAME QUESTION.

>> Akin Akinyemi: QUICKLY, EVERYBODY IN THIS TOWN LOVE OUR WEBSITE.

THEY TELL ME THAT DAILY.

I ONLY CHANGED TWICE IN SEVEN YEARS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE CONTENT, OBVIOUSLY.

CUSTOMERS, LIKE I MENTIONED, COMPLEMENT FOR ESTABLISHING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE.

BUT IN TERMS OF ACCESSIBILITY, TRANSPARENCY, OUTREACH, I BELIEVE I HAVE TAKEN THAT TO A VERY -- LEVEL.

WE HAVE NOT GONE FROM A TO C. WE'VE GONE FROM A TO A+.

>> Akin Akinyemi: BE INFORMED.

BE EDUCATED.

EVER WEBSITE IS SO EASY TO USE.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CALL US.

WE HAVE A HUGE TENT THAT YOU CANNOT MISS.

WE HAVE FANS THAT ARE VERY USEFUL.

WE HAVE MAGNETS.

THE MORE YOU CAN -- THE MORE WE CAN HELP YOU NOT ONLY TO BE INFORMED, BUT TO SAVE ON YOUR TAXES.

>> Trish Neely: MR.

PERSON, SAME QUESTION.

>> Ken Preston: I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WITH HOMEOWNERS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THIS DAY AND TIME WHEN YOU HAVE HOMEOWNERS THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO ASK THE QUESTIONS, BUT FIRST OF ALL WE NEED TO START EDUCATING THEM MORE.

GIVING THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SETTING THEIR PROPERTY UP RECTALLY, MAKE SURE THEY ARE ASSESSING EVERYTHING AND LOOKING AT THE ASSESSMENTS AND HOW WE ARE DOING BUSINESS.

IF IT'S NOT THERE, THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS.

>> Trish Neely: WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BIGGEST ADVICE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS, MR. PRESTON CREEK >> Ken Preston: I THINK BIGGEST -- BUSINESS OWNERS THE BIGGEST THING WE NEED TO HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH THEM AND ROUNDTABLE WITH THEM AND FIND OUT WHAT IS THE WEBSITE THEY NEED?

WHAT TOOLS ARE OUT THERE TO MAKE THEIR JOB EASIER?

MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE AND IF WE CAN DO THAT, WE CAN CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THESE DAYS THE REALTORS, INVESTORS, EVEN THE COMMON EVERYDAY PERSON THESE DAYS WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Trish Neely: THANK YOU.

MR. AKINYEMI, IS A PROPERTY APPRAISER, WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ADVICE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS?

>> Akin Akinyemi: TO BE ENGAGING, TO BE INVOLVED.

WE GO TO ALL THE ASSOCIATION.

WE ARE A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER, CHAMBER CONFERENCES.

WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH RETAIL ASSOCIATIONS.

IF YOU BELONG TO ANY OF THOSE, PLEASE COME TO THE MEETINGS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE VERY ACCESSIBLE.

MY DIRECT NUMBER.

PEOPLE ALWAYS CALL THE OFFICE ALL THE TIME AND SAY I WANT TO TALK TO THE PA.

THEY PASS THEM RIGHT ON TO ME.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE US.

>> EDELMAN, AS YOU BOTH ARE VERY MUCH AWARE THE DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER NO MATTER WHAT COUNTY YOU RESIDE IN IN FLORIDA IS TO A VERY GREAT DEGREE MOLDED AND DIRECTED BY WHAT TAKES PLACE IN THE FLORIDA LEGISLATOR.

AND ALSO IN THE VOTING BOOTH BECAUSE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS ARE GOING TO BE DECIDING THE FATE OF AN AMENDMENT THAT REQUIRES AN ANNUAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENT ON THE SECOND OF TWO $25,000 HOME STEAD.

IT'S KIND OF A COMPLEX ISSUE WITH A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

SO WE HAVE THREE QUESTIONS FOR YOU ABOUT AMENDMENT FIVE AND WE'RE GOING TO CYCLE THROUGH EVERY ONE OF THEM.

STARTING WITH YOU, MR. AKINYEMI.

HOW WOULD THIS AMENDMENT IMPACT HOMESTEAD PROPERTY OWNERS VERSUS RENTERS?

>> Akin Akinyemi: THE INTENT IS WELL GIVEN.

I THINK McKENNAN WAS THE LEADER OFFER -- AUTHOR OF THIS BILL.

THE INDEX CHANGE, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHANGE THAT.

MOSTLY, IF YOU ARE HOMESTEADED, YOU COVER 3%, BUT THAT 3% CAN BE ADJUSTED DOWN, NOT UP.

THIS CAN MAKE PEOPLE SAVE MONEY.

WE DEFINITELY BENEFIT.

ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO BE THE -- >> Tom Flanigan: I NEGLECTED TO MENTION JUST TRANSITING HERE FOR REPLY.

MR. PRESTON, HOW WOULD THE AMENDMENT IMPACT OUR CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT SINCE THERE IS A REVENUE COMPONENT IN THERE?

>> Ken Preston: RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK IT WILL MAKE A MAJOR IMPACT WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY WITH THE WAY IT'S SET UP RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WITH THE SECOND $25,000, YOUR HOUSE HAS TO BE FIRST ASSESSED AT OVER $75,000 TO BENEFIT THE WHOLE 300 AND SOMETHING EXTRA DOLLARS.

KNOWING THE WAY WE ARE PICKING UP AND ASSESSING THE HOMES THESE DAYS AND EVERYTHING, ONCE WE ARE DOING THE JOB AND HAVING TROOPS ON THE GROUND TO ASSESS IT PROPERTY AND MAKING SURE WE'RE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING, YOU WOULDN'T SEE A MAJOR IMPACT ON IT.

>> Tom Flanigan: WHILE WE ARE HERE, MR. PRESTON, DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THE AMENDMENT PHILOSOPHICALLY OR OPERATIONALLY?

DO YOU OPPOSE OR IN FAVOR OF THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT?

>> Ken Preston: I'M IN FAVOR OF IT BECAUSE, I MEAN, ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE CITIZENS OF TALLAHASSEE AND TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES, WHETHER YOU'RE POOR OR RICH OR WHATEVER, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS THESE DAYS.

SO YES, I'M IN SUPPORT OF IT.

>> Tom Flanigan: OKAY, MR. AKINYEMI, SAME QUESTION.

>> Akin Akinyemi: I'M PRETTY APPREHENSIVE BECAUSE I MENTIONED OUR OFFICE CHALLENGE ADMINISTRATION.

WE TRIED TO STAY NEUTRAL BECAUSE YES, THE PEOPLE TRIED TO DECIDE AND HOW DO THEY DECIDE?

WE ADMINISTER IT.

PERSONALLY, I'M BRANDS OF ON THE IMPACT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ABILITY TO GET WHERE IT'S NEEDED AND OUR ABILITY TO ADMINISTER THIS PROPERLY.

THE BENEFIT MAY BE SO MINIMUM IT MAY NOT BE WORTH THE EFFORT THAT GOES INTO IT.

>> WILL YOU BE VOTING YES OR NO?

>> Akin Akinyemi: PERSONALLY MY VOTE IS MY VOTE.

I DON'T TELL PEOPLE WHO I VOTE FOR.

>> Trish Neely: OKAY.

A QUESTION ABOUT CAMPAIGN-FINANCE.

AND WE WILL STICK WITH YOU, MR. AKINYEMI.

THE ROLE OF DEVELOPERS AND DARK MONEY IN CITY POLITICS AND CAMPAIGNS HAS REALLY BECOME A FLASHPOINT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR CAMPAGN -- OPPONENTS CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING?

30 SECONDS.

>> Akin Akinyemi: I DON'T KNOW THE SOURCE EXCEPT IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS SHIFTED TO GET BEHIND HIM.

THAT IS BETWEEN THEM AND THEM.

BUT EVERY TWO YEARS I WROTE ON THIS PUBLIC, I DON'T BELIEVE MONEY SHOULD PLAY A BIG ROLE IN ELECTIONS.

THAT'S MY MANTRA.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU START -- MONEY.

EVERY TWO YEARS I WROTE ABOUT THE ILLS OF THIS.

SHOULD NOT BE A PLACE IN THE ELECTION PROCESS.

AS A COMMISSIONER, I VOTED TO LOWER LEON COUNTY FROM 500 TO 250.

>> Trish Neely: OKAY.

MR. PRESTON BECKER >> Ken Preston: WITH MY CAMPAIGN I CAN'T SAY THIS HERE.

I DON'T KNOW TOO MANY INVESTORS THAT INVEST IN MY CAMPAIGN, BUT I RAISED OVER $50,000 FROM FAMILY, FRIENDS, PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT TRUST AND BELIEVE IN ME.

THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU'RE DOING THAT AND HAVE FOLKS THAT SUPPORT YOU LIKE THIS.

I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST INVESTORS OR ANYONE.

I'LL BE HONEST IF AN INVESTOR CALLS ME TOMORROW AND WANT TO DONATE $1000, I DON'T THINK I WILL SAY NO AT ALL.

>> WOULD YOU SAY NO, ESTAR AKINYEMI?

>> Akin Akinyemi: I HAVE TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND WHY.

IS A COMMISSIONER YOU CAN COME AND MEET ME.

I WILL LISTEN TO YOU, BUT I WILL DO MY BEST -- THE BEST FOR MY CITIZENS AND CONSTITUENTS.

THEY COME TO ME BECAUSE THEY KNOW I DON'T PLAY.

>> WELL, I'VE GOT SOME INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES HERE.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH YOU, MR. AKINYEMI.

YOU ACTUALLY JUST ALLUDED TO THIS, THE COLUMNS YOU HAD IN THE DEMOCRAT.

YOU HAVE DRAWN FIRE FOR CHOOSING SIDES.

CITY COMMISSION IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS.

YOU'VE BEEN CRITICAL OF DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS BY THE COMMISSION AUTHORITY AND BUSINESS INTERESTS AND CAMPAIGNS.

IS NOT THE ROLE OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER AND WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO DEVELOPERS AND BUSINESS INTERESTS SAYS THAT UNDERMINES YOUR OFFICES FAIRNESS?

>> Akin Akinyemi: GOOD QUESTION.

JUST FOR THE RECORD, WHEN I SPEAK I SPEAK AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN.

I SPEAK AS AN ADVOCATE.

WE LOVE THIS COMMUNITY.

MY POLITICS IS COMPLETELY AWAY FROM MY OFFICE.

I DON'T MIX THOSE TWO TOGETHER.

SOME PEOPLE WANT TO SILENCE ME BECAUSE FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY DON'T LIKE TO HEAR THE TRUTH.

THE TRUTH IS HARD FOR THEM TO SWALLOW.

I CANNOT BE SILENCED.

I AM A PLANNER.

I AM ONE OF THE MOST EDUCATED BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO EVENT PLANNING AND NONEVENT PLANNING.

AS A PLANNING INSTRUCTOR AND DOCTORATE AND ALL THAT IN THAT FIELD.

SO I'M IN AUTHORITY IN THAT FIELD.

AND I CANNOT BE QUIET WHEN I SEE DECISIONS THAT ARE WRONG.

I CANNOT BE QUIET WHEN I SEE OUR COUNTY GOING THE WRONG DIRECTION.

I KNOW -- USE TO WRITE THE BEST DECISIONS.

NOW IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE THE SAME STEPS TAKING US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

I WILL NOT BE SILENCED.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

MR. PRESTON, DO YOU THINK PROPERTY APPRAISAL SHOULD BE CRITICAL OF DECISIONS ON DEVELOPMENT?

>> Ken Preston: NO.

I THINK THE PROPERTY APPRAISER HAS A ROLE AND JOB AND DUTIES AND THEY SHOULD BE MORE FOCUSED ON WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN THAT OFFICE AND WHAT THE CITIZENS NEED FROM THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.

OTHER THINGS COULD BE PERSONAL OPINION, BUT I DON'T THINK THE PROPERTY, WHEN I BECOME PROPERTY APPRAISER I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU MY PERSONAL OPINION ON DIFFERENT THINGS.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE OUT HERE CHEERLEADING FOR TOM, DICKER, HARRY, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S MY ROLE AS PROPERTY APPRAISER.

>> William Hatfield: MR. AKINYEMI, ONE LAST QUESTION FOR YOU.

JEREMY HAS BEEN A SUPPORTER AND ALLY IN YOUR CAMPAIGN.

WEARS ONE AREA YOU DISAGREE WITH THE CITY COMMISSIONER?

JUST 30 SECONDS.

>> Akin Akinyemi: DECORUM?

AS A FRIEND, WE ARE VERY CLOSE FRIENDS.

I TALKED TO BOTH JEREMY AND JACK ALL THE TIME.

I LOVE THEM AND ADMIRE THEM FOR THEIR COURAGE FOR WHAT THEY STAND FOR.

BUT WE DIFFER SLIGHTLY OUR OPINION.

I TRIED TO -- DOWN TO MODERATE TONE.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

MR. PRESTON, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS INDIVIDUALLY FOR YOU AS WELL.

IN 2022, YOU WERE ASKED TO RESIGN OR BE TERMINATED AFTER TWO EMPLOYEES LODGED CAMPAIGN - - COMPLAINTS ALLEGING YOU CREATED A DISRUPTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT LED TO AN OUTSIDE INVESTIGATION BY A LOCAL LAW FIRM, WHICH SUBSTANTIATED SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS AND DROPPED OTHERS.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE ALLEGATIONS AND REPORT?

ONE MINUTE.

>> Ken Preston: WITH THAT ALLEGATION, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING EVER COMING OF IT, BUT I THINK THAT IS WHERE LEADERSHIP IN THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OFFICE SHOULD'VE TAKEN THAT STANCE BECAUSE WHEN YOU HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLEFOR DOING THEIR JOBS , AND YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR MANY YEARS.

THESE DAYS AND TIME YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FOLKS THAT HAVE ISSUES.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FOLKS THAT'S NOT GOING TO AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU DO AND THERE'S FOLKS EVERY DAY NOW THAT THINK THE SHORTEST WAY OUT IS FILE A COMPLAINT.

FILE A LAWSUIT.

I DON'T BUY INTO THAT AND WITH THINGS LIKE THAT AND THE SHIP IS ROCKET LIKE THAT, SOMETIMES IT'S BEST TO JUST GET OFF THE SHIP.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

MR. AKINYEMI, IS MR. PRESTON'S EMPLOYMENT HISTORY ISN'T -- AN ISSUE IN THIS CAMPAIGN?

>> Akin Akinyemi: YES.

IF YOU WANT TO BE A LEADER, YOU HAVE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

I HAVE NO PERSONAL ISSUE WITH HIM AND I DID TRY FOR FIVE YEARS TO SAVE THEM FROM HIMSELF.

YOU CAN GIVE PEOPLE SECOND CHANCES TOO MANY TIMES.

EVENTUALLY THEY ARE GOING TO DO THEMSELVES AND.

YOU HAVE THE FULL RECORD.

BEFORE MY TIME YOU GUYS SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO TRAIN HIM TO BE A LEADER.

I AM THE MINIMUM SUPERVISOR.

IT WAS NOT BEFORE MY TIME.

I HAD NO CHOICE.

THERE'S NO WAY I CAN KEEP HIM ON STAFF AND KEEP DECORUM AND CULTURE.

I MEAN, THE LEVEL OF ACCUSATIONS, THERE'S NO WAY, YOU KNOW.

>> William Hatfield: MR. PRESTON, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO SAY THIS IS A RETALIATION RUN?

>> Ken Preston: IT'S NOT A RETALIATION RUN.

I ENJOYED MY LIFE SITTING AT HOME FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND WHEN YOU'RE GETTING MORE CALLS FROM THE OUTSIDE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT THEY NEED TO ASSESS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GETTING THAT FROM THIS OFFICE OR THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS OFFICE, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO CONCERN YOURSELF WITH.

WITH ME BEING SOMEONE WHO LIKES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY, YEAH, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND I FELT LIKE IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO GET BACK IN AND PICK A DIFFERENCE IN TALLAHASSEE.

>> William Hatfield: BACK TO QUESTIONS.

>> Tom Flanigan: THANK YOU, WILLIAM.

NOW THAT JUDGMENTS REALLY ARE WHAT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE REALLY IS ALL ABOUT, LET'S TALK ABOUT FAIRNESS AND ACCURACY OF THOSE JUDGMENTS, IF WE COULD.

HOW CAN YOU ENSURE FAIRNESS IN PROPERTY EVALUATION WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROPERTY TYPES AND NOT NECESSARILY COMPARING APPLES AND APPLES IN SO MANY INSTANCES.

MR. PRESTON, IF WE CAN START WITH YOU.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS IN 30 SECONDS.

>> Ken Preston: FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOUR WELL STAFFED.

YOU HAVE ANALYSTS.

YOU HAVE THE CAMEL SYSTEM.

THE CAMEL SYSTEM IS ONLY GOOD FOR WHAT YOU PUT IN.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER TO COLLECT THIS DATA, YOU DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ANALYSTS ARE ABLE TO RETRIEVE THIS STUFF AND PUT IT INCORRECTLY SO IT CAN COME OUT CORRECTLY.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TREAT EVERYONE FAIRLY WITH ALL ASSESSMENTS AND LEON COUNTY.

THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY SUGARCOATING ABOUT IT.

IF YOU HAVE FOUR CORNERS AND THREE OF THEM ARE BEING ASSESSED AND ONE IS COMPLAINING AT THE VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IF YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON ONE, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THE SAME ON ALL THREE.

>> Tom Flanigan: THANK YOU.

MR. AKINYEMI, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> Akin Akinyemi: LET ME - - WE AS THE GOVERNMENT TAX APPRAISER.

THEY LOOK AT THREE COMPARABLES VERY DETAILED.

WE DO NOT GO TO RUNAROUND 10 PARCELS EVERY YEAR, SO THERE'S A CAMEL SYSTEM WHERE WE FIT INFORMATION TO.

THAT ACTUALLY CAUSE LESS BIAS BECAUSE YOU ARE REMOVED FROM LOCATION.

WHEN I WAS ELECTED, I HEAR ABOUT THIS SO OFTEN.

I SHOW THE COMMISSION A YEAR-LONG ASSESSMENT OF EQUITY.

I CAN SEND IT TO YOU.

FORTUNATELY FOR US, THAT'S NONE OF THOSE IN LEON COUNTY.

WE CANNOT FIND ANY EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OF UNFAIRNESS AND APPRAISAL.

>> Tom Flanigan: CONTINUING ALONG THE SAME LINE, AND AGAIN 45 SECONDS, MR. AKINYEMI BIGGER WHEN YOU FACTOR IN PRICES AND PROPERTY VALUATION THAT MAY AFFECT UNDERSERVED OR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, IS THAT FACTORED IN OR IS THAT EVEN YOUR ROLE AS PROPERTY APPRAISER?

>> Akin Akinyemi: NO, NO.

PEOPLE THAT -- CRIME RATE, EDUCATION, SCHOOLS FACTOR IN AND THEREFORE, THAT MAY AFFECT THE PRICE.

WE DO HAVE A LOT OF METRICS.

OVER 50 OF THEM INCLUDING ALL THOSE SALES THAT WE COMPARE AND FIT INTO OUR THING.

SO WE DON'T MAKE A DISTINCTION.

YOU HEAR PEOPLE TALK ALL THE TIME AREAS ASSESSED LESS YOU CAN'T IGNORE THAT.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT.

THAT'S WHY I DID THIS ONE YEAR STUDY TO LOOK INTO THAT AND WE DON'T FIND ANY EVIDENCE ON THAT.

>> Tom Flanigan: 45 SECONDS ON THE SAME QUESTION, MR. PRESTON.

>> Ken Preston: I THINK THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT SUBDIVISIONS.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW YOU ARE ASSESSING PROPERTIES.

YOU CAN HAVE A PROPERTY OVER HERE IN LALA LAND AND ALL THE HOUSES ASSESSED FOR $140,000 AND SOMEBODY WHO REALLY LOVED IT THERE AND GREW UP THERE BUILD A $300,000 HOME THERE.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO FACTOR HEY, THEY OVERBUILT FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOU CAN'T COMPARE THAT MARKET FOR THE SAME THAT YOU'RE DOING IN BUCKHEAD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

YOU REALLY HAVE TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

THAT'S WHY THE ANALYSTS AND THE EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD STAFF TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THAT.

>> William Hatfield: DO YOU THINK THAT CURRENT THING IS HAPPENING CURRENTLY IN THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE?

>> Ken Preston: YES.

THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPEN.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK ALSO IF YOU'RE THE AIRPORT, THEY CAN WIDEN THE RUNWAY.

ALL OF THE SUDDEN, YOUR HOUSE IS 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY NOW.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THAT.

>> William Hatfield: SURE.

MR. AKINYEMI, DO YOU THINK THAT KIND OF THING IS HAPPENING?

>> Akin Akinyemi: YOU CAN'T MAKE AN CONDITION WITHOUT EVIDENCE.

WHAT IS YOUR EVIDENCE THAT THIS KIND OF THING IS HAPPENING, PLEASE.

>> Ken Preston: IT'S EASY TO DO A PUBLIC RECORD REQUEST AND YOU CAN PULL THAT EVIDENCE WANT TO GO OUT AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

THIS IS JUST A BASIC QUESTION YOU ASKED ME AND IT'S MY OPINION ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST 10 YEARS OR WHATEVER.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

>> Tom Flanigan: WHILE WE ARE WITH YOU, THOUGH, LET'S GET A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE ON THAT, MR. PRESIDENT.

A PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING APPRAISAL THAT YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH.

WHAT MADE IT CHALLENGING AND HOW DID YOU HANDLE IT?

>> Ken Preston: I REMEMBER BACK THERE WAS TWO HOMES OUT AND WHAT YOU CALL THE MACON SUBDIVISION BEHIND FLORIDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.

MOST THE HOUSES SIT $460,000.

THERE IS A YOUNG MAN OR MINISTER WHO BUILT A HOME AND IT FOR HUNDRED AND $50,000.

THE THING IS YOU CAN'T PULL IN AND SAY THIS IS A COMP TO THE ONE THAT'S IN GOLDEN EAGLE OR THIS OTHER PLACE.

YOU REALLY HAVE TO FACTOR IN TO ALL THE COMPONENTS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THIS HOUSE?

WE CAN'T GO APPLES TO APPLES WHEN YOU ARE BILLING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE THAT.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

MR. AKINYEMI?

>> Akin Akinyemi: AGAIN, MR. PRESTON SHOULD KNOW BETTER.

A STAFF MEMBER LOOK AT US VERY, VERY CLOSELY.

WE REMOVE THEM.

WE DON'T USE ANALYSIS, SO William Hatfield: CAN YOU SPEAK TO A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF A PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING APPRAISAL YOUR OFFICE CONDUCTED AND WHAT MADE IT CHALLENGING AND HOW YOU HANDLED IT?

>> Akin Akinyemi: ALWAYS.

I WAS CHAIR OF THAT BOARD FOR THREE YEARS, SO I HAD THIS EVEN BEFORE I GO HERE.

WHEN PEOPLE DON'T LIKE OUR APPRAISER, WE TOLD HIM PLEASE COME TO US.

WE REVIEWED THOSE.

SHOPPING MALLS IN PARTICULAR ARE SOME OF THOSE.

SO WE LOOK AT THEM WITH THEM.

THE MAGISTRATE DETERMINES.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

Flanigan: OKAY.

STARTING WITH YOU, MR. AKINYEMI.

45 SECONDS HERE.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE OPERATES NOT JUST WITH THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS AND INTEGRITY, BUT ALSO WAS ABLE TO DEAL WITH ALL THE MULTIPLICITY OF FACTORS THAT PLAY INTO HOW YOU VALUATE A PROPERTY?

>> Akin Akinyemi: THE NEXT THING I'M GOING TO PUT OUT THERE IS WHAT I CALL -- WHEN YOU DO A SCATTERPLOT OF VALUATIONS, YOU CAN SEE THE OUTLIERS.

WE HAVE RATIO OF TYPICALLY 8.5.

YOU CAN LOOK THAT RATIO AND TELL IF SOMETHING IS OFF.

BY THE WAY, TOO, WE DO THAT IN HOUSE BUT ALSO CHECK OUR WORK.

LASTLY, AS A LEADER, I'M TELLING MY STAFF TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND.

DON'T JUST DO THE BASICS.

IF SOMEONE CHALLENGE YOU OR ASK A QUESTION, LISTEN TO THEM AND DIG FOR THEM TO FIND A WAY TO HAPPEN.

WHEN PEOPLE CALL MY OFFICE, I PERSONALLY SIT DOWN AND GET INVOLVED IN DISCUSSIONS OF THIS TYPE OF CONTESTED PROPERTIES.

>> Tom Flanigan: OKAY.

MR. PRESTON, WOULD YOU USE THIS SAME APPROACH OR DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY THERE?

>> Ken Preston: I THINK I HAVE THE MANPOWER TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

THAT'S TALKING ABOUT QUALIFIED SALES.

YOU HAVE A HOME AND YOU SELL IT TO YOUR SON FOR $140,000, IT'S NOT A QUALIFIED SALE.

BUT THAT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THAT THEY ARE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO DIFFERENT THINGS ON THE BOARD WHEN IT'S A NONQUALIFIED SALE BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE 20,000 UNQUALIFIED SALES AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER, YOU CAN'T LOOK AT EACH AND EVERY PROPERTY.

>> William Hatfield: ONE QUICK QUESTIN.

MR. PRESTON, YOU REFERRED TO HAVING THE PROPER RIGHT STAFF IN PLACE.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR PLANS WOULD BE IF ELECTED.

WOULD YOU BE STICKING WITH THE SAME STAFF OR WOULD YOU BRING IN YOUR OWN PEOPLE?

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE CURRENT STAFFERS IN THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE?

30 SECONDS.

>> Ken Preston: THE BIGGEST THING IS MAKING SURE NOT ONLY WE RETAIN THE FOLKS THAT WE HAVE THAT QUALIFYING AND ABLE TO DO THE JOB, AND I THINK OVER 85 AND 95% OF THE JOB - - GUYS THERE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT.

I WOULD RETAIN THESE FOLKS, BUT NOT ONLY THAT I MAKE SURE I HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO DO THE JOB BECAUSE THIS IS ONE JOB WHERE IT TAKES BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

>> William Hatfield: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 10%?

>> Ken Preston: OTHER 10% WE TRY TO GET GOOD TRAINING IN PLACE FOR THEM SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE KEEP THEM ABOARD.

>> William Hatfield: SURE.

>> Ken Preston: IF THEY CAN'T CUT THE MUSTARD, WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

>> William Hatfield: MR. AKINYEMI, WOULD YOU STICK WITH THE SAME TEAM?

>> Akin Akinyemi: I MADE THIS AMENDMENT IN 2016 WHEN I WAS ELECTED.

I BROUGHT IN TWO PEOPLE TO CREATE THE OUTREACH DEPARTMENT.

MY OPPONENT BECAME MY BEST FRIEND.

I MADE HIM MY SECOND-IN-COMMAND.

ABSOLUTELY WE HAVE A GOOD STAFF AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK AT THE SAME LEVEL.

>> William Hatfield: WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE PACING HERE A LITTLE BIT.

WE ARE GOING TO DO A QUICK LIGHTNING ROUND.

THIS IS A ONE SENTENCE ANSWER.

MAYBE IT'S A YES OR NO ANSWER FOLLOWED BY ONE SENTENCE.

WE DON'T LIKE RUN-ON SENTENCES.

MR. PRESTON, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH YOU.

WHAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST THING YOU HAVE DONE AS A LOCAL LEADER TO MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY A BIGGEST PLACE?

>> Ken Preston: ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I'VE DONE AS I HAVE WORKED WITH THE MLK FOUNDATION.

I WORKED WITH MASONIC ORDERS.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO APPROACH WANT TO GET OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> William Hatfield: MR. AKINYEMI, SAME QUESTION.

SINGLE GIVE -- BIGGEST THING YOU'VE DONE TO HELP AS A LEADER.

>> Akin Akinyemi: THE LIST GOES ON.

AT LEAST 10 THINGS THAT GREATLY IMPROVE THIS COMMUNITY AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THOSE.

>> William Hatfield: MR. AKINYEMI, WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED ENDORSEMENT AND WHY?

ONE SENTENCE.

>> Akin Akinyemi: BY THE WAY, WE ARE GOING TOMORROW ÃMEANT WITH THE -- SO NOT INDIVIDUAL THIS.

I AM PROUD I HAVE OVER 40 ELECTED OFFICIALS -- >> William Hatfield: OKAY.

JUST THE ONE.

THANK YOU.

MR. PRESTON, THE MOST PRIZED ENDORSEMENT.

>> Ken Preston: ISAAC MY MOST PRIZED ENDORSEMENT IS THE CITIZENS OF LEON COUNTY, HOW THEY BOUGHT INTO MY VISION AND WHAT I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN.

>> William Hatfield: HOW ABOUT INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE THE CITIZENS WILL ENDORSE - - >> Ken Preston: I THINK THE MAYOR, JOHN DALY.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

THANK YOU.

MR. PRESTON, WHO DID YOU TALK TO WHEN YOU WANT POLITICAL ADVICE?

ONE SENTENCE.

>> Ken Preston: NORMALLY, I TALKED TO FOLKS THAT'S BEEN IN THIS HERE FOR A WHILE.

>> William Hatfield: ANYONE SPECIFIC?

>> Ken Preston: FROM COMMISSIONERS, I HAVE A GOOD FRIEND THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH FOR MANY YEARS AND I CAN GET ADVICE FROM HIM SOMETIMES.

>> William Hatfield: MR. AKINYEMI, SAME QUESTION.

>> Akin Akinyemi: -- >> William Hatfield: MR. AKINYEMI, WHO ARE YOU PAYING AS A CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT?

ONE SENTENCE.

>> Akin Akinyemi: NONE.

ZERO.

>> William Hatfield: MR. PRESTON, WHO ARE YOU PAYING AS A CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT?

>> Ken Preston: KEN PRESTON.

>> William Hatfield: WHAT IS ONE PLEDGE YOU WILL MAKE THE VOTERS RIGHT NOW TO ACCOMPLISH IF ELECTED?

>> Ken Preston: IF ELECTED, I GUARANTEE YOU THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M APPROACHABLE, THAT YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ME.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

MR. AKINYEMI.

>> Akin Akinyemi: IN ADDITION TO STARTING OUTREACH INNOVATION PROGRAM, I WOULD LIKE TO START A TPP.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

IF YOU OWN A BUSINESS, YOU HAVE TO PAY TAXES.

I WOULD LIKE TO START AN ONLINE PROGRAM THAT PEOPLE BE AWARE OF THIS AND BECOME MODEL FOR THE STATE.

>> William Hatfield: ALL RIGHT.

YOU GUYS MADE IT THROUGH THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

MOVING BACK TO THE REGULAR SCHEDULE HERE.

THE LEAGUE IS GOING TO TAKE IT OVER.

>> Trish Neely: WAS ONE ISSUE THE STATE LEGISLATOR SHOULD ADDRESS THAT WOULD AFFECT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE.

MR. AKINYEMI.

>> Akin Akinyemi: OH, MY GOD, I HAVE A LONG LIST.

EVERY YEAR AGO BEFORE THEM AND EVERY YEAR I GET A LAW PASSED.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE FOUR BILLS.

ONE FOR VETERANS, -- MAKE VALUATION MORE TRANSPARENT.

THOSE THREE DIDN'T PASS LAST YEAR AND I'M GOING TO GET THEM PAST THIS COMING YEAR.

>> Trish Neely: SAME QUESTION, MR. PRESTON.

>> Ken Preston: ETHIC THE BIGGEST THING WITH THE LEGISLATORS IS FROM WHAT AKIN SAID, ALL THAT IS TRUE AND WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT.

PUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO WATCH WITH THE LEGISLATORS, THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE WILL REALLY BE SOMETHING IF THEY OPEN THE DOORS WITH THE UTILITIES HERE WHERE THEY HAVE OUTSIDE AGENCIES THAT CAN COME IN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND IF WE ARE NOT DOING OUR JOB AS PROPERTY APPRAISER, WE ARE BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL.

>> Trish Neely: MR. PRESTON, IF ELECTED, WHAT IF ANY ADVOCACY LAW WILL YOU TAKE WITH THE FLORIDA MUCH LATER?

>> Ken Preston: FIRST OF ALL, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT I PLAY MY ROLE AS THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.

I WILL MAKE SURE I HAVE WHAT I CALL -- HAVING ATTORNEY, REPRESENTATIVE, DIFFERENT FOLKS THAT CAN GIVE MY TWO CENTS AND IF NEEDED I CAN GIVE THEM MY OPINION.

BUT THE ROLE THAT IS HAPPENING THERE IS THE CITIZENS OF TALLAHASSEE.

THEY MAKE THE CALL.

THEY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO VOTE ON X, Y, AND Z.

NOT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.

>> Trish Neely: MR. AKINYEMI, WHAT ROLE WILL YOU TAKE?

>> Akin Akinyemi: I'M CURRENTLY ON THE COMMITTEE.

MOST OF THEM KNOW BY THEM I HAVE THE SAME NUMBER.

I'M AN ACTIVE PERSON AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO HELP STOP BAD DEALS AND PROMOTE GOOD BILLS.

I WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE WITH THE LEGISLATORS.

>> William Hatfield: PROPERTY TAXES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP A COUPLE OF TIMES HERE.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE FEELING THE PINCH ON PROPERTY TAXES?

AND THEY COME TO YOU ABOUT IT.

MR. AKINYEMI, 30 SECONDS.

>> Akin Akinyemi: PROPERTY TAX IS A TWO COMPONENT.

THE RATE AND EVALUATION.

BOTH TOGETHER RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE VALUE.

I'M PROUD OF LEON COUNTY.

FOR INSTANCE, THEY HAVE NEVER RAISED MILLAGE RATES SINCE I WAS ELECTED IN 2008 AND THEY'RE GOING TO DROP IT THIS YEAR.

ON THE OTHER HAND, GIVES US ABILITY TO IMPROVE AND SOMETIMES THERE'S GOOD REASONS FOR THAT.

BUT WHEN VALUE GOES UP 15%, MEANING YOU'RE GETTING MORE REVENUE OR MORE DEVELOPMENT, THERE'S NO GROUND TO IMPROVE THE -- RATE.

>> William Hatfield: MR. PRESTON, SAME QUESTION.

>> Ken Preston: WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TAX RATE, BUT MAKING SURE WE PRODUCE A GOOD TAX ROLL AND GIVE THEM ENOUGH MONEY TO WORK WITH.

IF WE BRING IT TO THE TABLE, TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY, THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

IF YOU OWN A HOME, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT IT GOING UP 15%.

THERE'S A CAP 10% IT CAN INCREASE WITHIN THE YEAR.

WHEN THE HOMEOWNERS HAVE A QUESTION, WE NEED TO BE HAVE OUR DOORS OPEN TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO THEM.

>> William Hatfield: MR. PRESTON, AS THE CITY KIND OF WAYS IT'S MILLAGE RATE, LOOKS LIKE AT THE MOMENT THEY'RE LOOKING AT STICKING TO THE SAME, THAT WOULD STILL BE CONSIDERED A TAX INCREASE UNDER STATE LAW BECAUSE THEY WILL BE GETTING MORE MONEY.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO COMMISSIONERS AS THEY CONSIDER THIS?

>> Ken Preston: YOU KNOW, A FEW YEARS BACK I THOUGHT MAYBE THE COMMISSIONERS NEED TO ASK MORE QUESTIONS WITH THE PROPERTY APPRAISER DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

THERE SO MUCH CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING GOING ON IN LEON COUNTY RIGHT NOW, ARE WE REALLY DOING OUR JOB IN PICKING UP ALL THESE ASSESSMENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE BRINGING -- IT'S LIKE EVERY DAY JOE.

IF YOU HAVE MORE TO WORK WITH, YOU CAN DO SOME THINGS AND YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS.

>> William Hatfield: MR. AKINYEMI, SAME QUESTION.

>> Akin Akinyemi: ABOUT A DECADE AGO THEY PASSED A BILL CALLED THE ROLLBACK RATE.

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.

LIKE YOU SAID, EVEN IF THE MILLAGE RATE AS NOT CHANGED TO GET MORE MONEY, ROLL IT BACK.

THEY HAVEN'T DONE THAT AND NOBODY HAVE PUT THEM IN TO TEST ON THAT.

EVENTUALLY, THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO SAY HEY, GUY, YOU NEED TO ROLLBACK THE RATE.

>> William Hatfield: IS NOT YOUR ADVICE TO Akinyemi: WHEN I WAS COMMISSIONER, I DO THE SAME THING.

>> Tom Flanigan: WELL, JUST WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WE HAD SOME UNEXPECTED HAPPENINGS IN TALLAHASSEE LEON COUNTY THAT IMPACTED A LOT OF PEOPLE AS WELL AS THE OPERATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE.

HOW WOULD YOU, STARTING WITH YOU, MR. AKINYEMI, AND I'M GIVING YOU 45 SECONDS ON THIS ONE.

HOW DO YOU INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT STATE LAW SAYS IT PERTAINS TO PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS WHEN FOLKS HOMES ARE DESTROYED OR SEVERELY DAMAGED BY THINGS LIKE TORNADOES, WHICH WE HAD, OR HURRICANES OR OTHER CALAMITIES?

>> Akin Akinyemi: GOOD QUESTION.

WHEN I TOOK OFFICE AND MY COLLEAGUE TOLD ME HOW INVOLVED THEY ARE, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THINGS ALONE AND FULL INTERIOR OUR STAFF TO BE INVOLVED IN DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.

WE WERE ON THE GROUND FROM DAY ONE.

I WAS ON THE GROUND MAY 10 WHEN THIS THING HAPPENED.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THEM.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN A FEW BILLS PASSED WHERE YOU CAN GET - - BECAUSE BEFORE IF YOU BUY A HOUSE AND IT BURNED DOWN THE NEXT DAY -- WITH THE BILLS NOW YOU CAN GET REBATES.

TELLING PEOPLE HOW TO APPLY IF YOU ARE AFFECTED, IF YOUR AREA IS DAMAGED THAT IS HIS PRIMARY JOB.

HE GOES OUT THERE AND HELP PEOPLE HOW TO APPLY FOR THESE REBATES.

>> Tom Flanigan: ALSO FOR YOU, MR. PRESTON, SAME QUESTION.

>> Ken Preston: THEY WERE OUT ON THE GROUND, BUT WHEN THERE'S NO UTILITY, IS NO POWER, THEY ARE NOT GETTING DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO REACH THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S MAIL, RADIO, TV, THERE'S STUFF YOU NEED TO INVEST IN.

NOT JUST BY WORD-OF-MOUTH.

YOU CAN GO AROUND TO 10 HOUSES IN WOODVILLE, BUT THERE'S MAYBE 30 ON THAT STREET, 20 THAT NOTE TO CALL THE PROPERTY APPRAISER WHEN A TREE FELL ON THEIR HOUSE.

FOLKS DON'T KNOW WHEN A FIRE, WHEN THEIR HOUSE CATCHING FIRE THEY NEED TO LET THEM KNOW.

THE PROPERTY APPRAISER NEEDS TO VISIT ALL PROPERTIES EVERY FIVE YEARS.

THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE THERE.

>> Tom Flanigan: LET ME GIVE YOU ANOTHER 45 SECONDS, MR. PRESTON.

LET'S SAY A CATASTROPHE TAKES PLACE AND YOU WERE THE PROPERTY APPRAISER FOR LEON COUNTY.

WHAT DOES YOUR OFFICE DO RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX?

>> Ken Preston: RIGHT OUT-OF-THE-BOX WE ARE GOING TO REACH OUT TO THE HOMEOWNER WHETHER IT IS SEND THEM A CERTIFIED LETTER, WHETHER IT IS MAKING THE FIELD GUIDES GO OFF AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND LEAVE LETTERS OR CONTACT OR LEAVE A FORWARDING ADDRESS.

THESE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO TO REACH FOLKS.

WE CAN THINK EVERYONE IS IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA.

EVERYONE THAT LISTENS TO RADIO EVERY DAY.

WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND YOU CAN'T JUST THINK THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.

>> Tom Flanigan: OKAY.

YOUR GAME PLAN, MR. AKINYEMI.

>> Akin Akinyemi: WE ARE HANDS ON.

WE ARE VERY INVOLVED.

KEN IS RIGHT.

IN ADDITION TO BEING UNDERGROUND SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH, YOU HAVE TO FIND PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE THINGS.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A HAM RADIO ONE DAY.

THAT'S AN EXCELLENT IDEA.

ABSOLUTELY WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP PEOPLE INVOLVED TO GET THEM TO SAFETY TO HELP THEM REBUILD.

>> Tom Flanigan: SOMETHING WITH, MR. AKINYEMI, STICKING WITH YOU FOR ANOTHER 45 SECONDS.

YOU HAVE ANOTHER PROGRAM CALLED FLORIDA'S PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROPERTY PROGRAM.

>> Akin Akinyemi: YES.

>> Tom Flanigan: FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, IT'S A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES 100% PROPERTY TAX -- AND 80% PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR NONRESIDENTIAL RENEWABLE ENERGY PROPERTY.

AGAIN, VERY WORDY.

A LITTLE BIT COMPLEX.

HOW DO YOU GET THE WORD OUT TO PEOPLE ABOUT THAT?

THAT SOMETHING ISN'T LIKE A TORNADO, BUT CERTAINLY HAS IMPACTS ON A LOT OF FOLKS.

>> Akin Akinyemi: LET ME BE CAREFUL HOW I SAY THIS.

PACE PROGRAM, WHICH IS NORMALLY THE ENVELOPE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM.

WHEN I WAS A COMMISSIONER, I WENT TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO PUSH THIS AND PASS AN ORDINANCE.

OVER THE YEARS, A LOT OF FLYBACK COMPANIES HAVE ABUSED THAT PROGRAM BY TELLING PEOPLE THINGS SIGN THIS, SIGN THIS, GET THIS LOAN.

I WOULD SAY APPROACH WITH CAUTION.

I MEAN, THESE PROGRAMS ARE GOOD EITHER BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPROVED PARTNER.

NOT A FLYBY COMPANY.

SO BE VERY CAREFUL WHO YOU SIGN UP TO DO THESE PROGRAMS.

>> Tom Flanigan: OKAY, MR. PRESTON, 45 SECONDS FOR YOU.

>> Ken Preston: I MAY HAVE BEEN OUT OF THIS FOR TOO LONG, BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS AN EXEMPTION TOO MUCH.

WHEN YOU MAKE AN IMPROVEMENT AND WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE GREENWAY AND EVERYTHING ELSE, IF YOUR HOUSE ASSESSED AT $200,000 AND SOLAR PANELS AND THIS AND THAT AND THAT ON YOUR HOUSE, WE DON'T TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND RAISE YOU FOR $50,000.

IT'S A GOOD THING.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, BUT I WILL AGREE ONE THING AKIN SAID, YOU HAVE TO BE MINDFUL.

THERE'S SO MANY TRICKS TO THE TRADE AND EVERYTHING ELSE OUT THERE THESE DAYS.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CALL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT'S THERE.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

WE ARE TIRED OF ASKING ALL THE QUESTIONS, SO WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO ASK THE QUESTIONS.

WFSU, 45 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> Ken Preston: IF I HAD A QUESTION TO ASK MR. AKINYEMI, I WOULD ASK WHAT IS HIS VISION FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND HE WAS ELECTED.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

45 SECONDS.

>> Akin Akinyemi: MY VISION IS LONG-RANGE ADVANCEMENT OF OUR STAFF.

CREATING A MODEL AS AN EXEMPLARY DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T JUST SAY THIS.

I ACTUALLY ACT ON IT.

WE HIRE CONSULTANT, PUT TOGETHER A FIVE-YEAR PLAN AND WE SET DEADLINE FOR EACH ONE HOW TO ADMINISTER THIS.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO INNOVATE.

AND BY THE WAY, IT'S NOT JUST ME.

IT'S MY ENTIRE MANAGEMENT TEAM.

WE WORK TOGETHER VERY WELL.

WE VISION TOGETHER.

WE GET OUR STUFF AND BUY INTO IT.

I MENTIONED -- I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE TO A NEW LEVEL.

I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE OUR OFFICE EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE IN THE COMMUNITY MORE.

>> William Hatfield: ALL RIGHT, MR. AKINYEMI.

YOU RETURN.

YOU COULD ASK A QUESTION TO MR. PRESTON AND HE HAS 45 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> Akin Akinyemi: THIS IS LITTLE BIT PERSONAL AND I JUST NEED TO BE CANDID ABOUT THIS.

YOU ASKED A QUESTION EARLIER, IS THIS A REVENGE ELECTION OR NOT.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR YOU, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT I'VE DONE FOR YOU IN FIVE YEARS, MAKING YOU SUPERVISOR BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR SUPERIORS AND THE ISSUE YOU HAVE WITH THEM TO HELP YOU -- UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING TO WAIT ISSUE OF PEOPLE BELOW YOU, WHY IN THE áááá WAS RUN AGAINST SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN SO KIND TO GIVE TO MITIGATE SOMETHING THAT WAS TRUE?

NOBODY IS PERFECT AND YOU WRITE THE REPORT.

UNDER OATH YOU ADMIT TO EVERYTHING.

SO WHY WOULD YOU RUN AGAINST SOMEBODY OTHER THAN FOR REVENGE?

WHY WOULD YOU RUN AGAINST SOMEBODY -- >> William Hatfield: MR. PRESTON?

>> Ken Preston: I HAVE NOTHING PERSONAL AGAINST AKIN.

NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH AKIN.

I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WE WERE FINE ON THAT ASPECT AND EVERYTHING.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT'S NOT DOING THE JOB, NOT HAVE THE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE, HAVE A REVOLVING DOOR AND WE ALLOCATE 52 EMPLOYEES AND YOU HAVE OVER 60 THAT YOU HIRED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THOSE ARE THINGS YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF WHEN THE COMMUNITY IS REACHING OUT AND SAY HEY, I THINK YOU COULD DO A BETTER JOB.

I THINK WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> William Hatfield: YOU MADE IT TO THE ENDING, WHICH MEANS IT IS CLOSING TIME.

YOU GET 45 SECONDS TO TALK DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS.

YOU CAN GIVE THEM YOUR WEBSITE.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH YOU, MR. PRESTON.

45 SECONDS.

>> Ken Preston: FIRST OF ALL, LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.

NUMBER ONE, I WOULD HAVE A VISION IN PLACE.

NUMBER TWO, I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT MY EMPLOYEES AND STAFF BUY INTO IT.

WHEN WE CAN DO THAT, WE WILL MAKE SURE WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WILL MAKE A SATELLITE OFFICE SOMEWHERE ELSE SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO COME DOWNTOWN WHERE THERE'S NINE PARKING SPACES TO GET TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OFFICE.

AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WILL CHANGE A LOT OF WAYS WE DO BUSINESS DOWN THERE.

IT CAN ONLY MAKE THINGS BETTER, NOT WORSE.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

MR. AKINYEMI, YOU GET TO TAKE US OUT.

>> Akin Akinyemi: THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING THIS AND THANK YOU TO YOUR LISTENERS.

MOVING TO THIS GREAT CITY MY BEST DECISION IN LIFE NEVER.

THIS IS WHY I VOLUNTEER IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I'M BLESSED TO GET MARRIED TO MY WIFE, WHO IS ALSO VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

IN 2008 YOU ELECTED ME AS COMMISSIONER.

IN 2016 YOU ELECTED ME AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION.

I'M A VISIONARY.

I'M A LEADER.

I'M A PERFORMER.

JUST AS WHEN I WAS IN OFFICE, I HAVE PUT SO MUCH INNOVATION IN PLACE.

-- ON THAT, I HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO THE CANDIDATES AND OUR OFFICE FOR JOINING LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TALLAHASSEE, WFSU, AND THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT FOR THIS PROGRAM.

>> Tom Flanigan: YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THIS FORM ON OUR PAGES, TALLAHASSEE, AND THE RECORDED BROADCASTS WILL BE THURSDAY, JULY 18 ON -- SO SPREAD THE WORD, PLEASE.

>> Trish Neely: OUR NEXT LIFESTREAM FORMS WILL TAKE PLACE THIS AFTERNOON, JULY 16 AT 1:00 P.M. JOIN US AS WE ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES IN THE LEON COUNTY JUDGE SEAT 4 RACE.

AND REMEMBER YOU HAVE UNTIL JULY 22 TO REGISTER OR CHANGE YOUR PARTY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS AUGUST 10 WITH ELECTION DAY TAKING PLACE ON AUGUST 20.

>> William Hatfield: AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ANY OF OUR UPCOMING FORMS, PLEASE EMAIL US AT NEWS@TALLAHASSEE.COM AND YOU CAN LOOK FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION SECTION OF THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT WITH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL THE CANDIDATES WHICH WILL BE PRINTED ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 4.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE A BETTER DAY IF YOU STICK AROUND FOR THE NEXT