Yowell touts experience,  communication

Culpeper County Commissioner of the Revenue Terry Yowell does not consider herself a creative person. She's not into clothes or makeup or cooking.

Instead, Yowell, who celebrates her 43rd birthday today, loves to talk with the citizens she meets every day in her office and around Culpeper at various community events. Since she's lived in Culpeper her whole life, she already knows most of them.
She also loves math.

"It has always been a true love. It's one of those things that just came with me," said Yowell, who holds an associates degree in business administration from Germanna Community College. "I'm more of an analytical, black-and-white-type person."

For the past 12 years, she's worked with the taxpayers' numbers in the commissioner of revenue's office, working her way up from deputy to the woman in charge. Since Yowell began her stint as commissioner in 2001, she said she's worked hard to improve technology in her office and training for her staff.

Two years ago, Yowell volunteered her office for the massive task of determining the value of real estate and personal property countywide. Prior to her tenure, the job had been hired out.

"So we weren't really able to explain to the property owners where their assessed value came from," said Yowell, the daughter of Tom Calhoun of Calhoun's Ham House-fame. "Not only was it embarrassing but I thought it was a disservice."
Answering to the people is her top priority.

"That's really been my mission: let me tell you everything you need to know to better prepare you for what goes on in your local government," Yowell said.

n Biggest challenge: "Change. Every time the General Assembly sits, every time the board of supervisors sits, every time the attorney general's office issues an opinion, every time case law is decided on something changes. Something changes every day for us. Without experience you are truly in the dark. You are lost. The learning curve for the commissioner of revenue's office is years."

Then and now: "There are 21,505 pieces of real estate currently on the tax roll. In 2001, it was a little over 17,000. We've increased more than 4,500 parcels in a very short time it seems. That comes from subdividing, new subdivisions being created. It comes from family partitions, people selling off for an assortment of reasons. Of course, growth means not only housing but people bring personal property with them too. We have gone from about 38,000 pieces of personal property items to 58,000."

Tax relief for the elderly and disabled: "It is income and asset driven and we had 150 people in 2002. I always talk with our legislators and we do everything to increase those assets and income limitations because things have changed drastically as far as the economy. Since I've been commissioner and advocating for our elderly and disabled we've actually increased our enrollment for tax relief by over 100 property owners. We've got about 350 that are eligible."

Other programs of the commissioner's office: "We assist you with your state income tax. We'll help you prepare those. I pride myself on error resolution as well. We have many people who get a nice love letter from the department of taxation and if you don't know any differently you call the number that's listed and go through voice systems and hope that finally you get someone you can't see. I let people know come to me and we have been able to resolve issues for people who have been trying for three or four years.

The declining housing market: "It doesn't have an impact on our office. All property is assessed and once it's assessed whatever tax rate the county applies to it those properties remain taxable so the county will still generate revenue.

The commissioner of revenue as a political position: "I get reminded of that all the time. But this is a working position. I try very hard not to give my personal opinions because I know that is not my role. I know you don't elect me for that. You elect me to make sure your property is fair and equitable, and that's what I do."

Improving technology: "We were 10 months behind in being able to show you property ownerships and new construction. Now, I can show you a property ownership change within days of receiving a notice from the clerk and I can show you new construction information within days of the certificate of occupancy being issued. Not only that today you can find that information at midnight from your home in your pajamas at e-commissioner. The moment I make the change you can see it."

What sets her apart from her opponent: "Experience, knowledge, training, competence. People know exactly who I am and where I'm at. I've got a very good reputation for being fair and impartial. People know without a doubt that I'm honest. I'll tell you the truth even if it hurts you or hurts me."

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or