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Marin County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Richard N. Benson

Candidate for
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk; County of Marin

This information is provided by the candidate

Rich, a Bay area native, is a Graduate of the University of California, Davis and has held an Advanced Appraiser Certificate with the California Board of Equalization since 1993. Rich was the first instructor for the Ethics Workshop given to the California Assessors' Association and County Assessor's Appraisal staff.

He has one daughter, Hilary, age 27 who has degrees in Integrated Biology and Nursing and lives in New Mexico.

Rich joined the Assessor's office in 1985, and rose through the ranks until he became the Assistant Assessor for Valuation in 2007. He has authored numerous pieces of legislation that bring tax relief to the homeowner, such as those living in floating homes and those whose homes are destroyed due to natural disaster.

His innovative methods have helped bring electronic filing to the office of Assessor and he is well respected among his peers, often speaking at professional conferences. He has also spoken before local groups such as the Marin Bar Association, Marin/North Bay Enrolled Agents, Marin County Real Estate Appraiser's Association, and others over the years.

He has been active in his Novato neighborhood, where he worked with neighbors to save valuable open space for all to use and appreciate. He enjoys the outdoors and is an avid bicyclist. His other interests include scuba diving, skiing and woodworking.

He received the Star Award for Outstanding Service in 2007.

Key Accomplishments:

  • Drafted legislation that helps homeowners with tax relief in times of disaster
  • Created policies that provide tax fairness for floating home owners
  • Implemented electronic filings that make our Assessor's office greener
  • 24 years rising through the ranks to become Assistant County Assessor

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 14, 2010 13:43
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