Meet Joel

I’m Joel Frost, a Utah native running for Salt Lake County Assessor. Utah has been my home my entire life, and I currently live in Sandy with my wife and children. Besides my family, I’m deeply involved in the community, serving on two citizen-led committees for Sandy City (CDBG Committee and the General Plan Steering Committee) and two committees for Salt Lake Habitat For Humanity (the Family Services Committee and the Loan Services Committee)

I own and manage two successful businesses here in Salt Lake County, and I believe my private sector experience equips me to address the current challenges within the Assessor’s office. One key area demanding attention is the need for fair property assessments. As a real estate professional, I understand the intricacies of property valuation through twenty years of experience as a residential appraiser and real estate agent. I have served on the UAA board (Utah Association of Appraisers) as well as UTCAP (Utah Coalition of Appraisal Professionals). I am an instructor for a wide range of real estate valuation topics and also currently teach regular classes at Olympus, Taylorsville and Jordan High Schools, as well as the Granite Technical Institute.

To tackle fairness in property assessments, I plan to reform the process for Salt Lake County property owners to challenge their assessments, as well as address underlying fairness issues due to current practices that have led to some lower-income property owners paying more than their fair share of property taxes. Transparency and accessibility will be at the forefront, ensuring that every property owner has a fair avenue to voice concerns and seek resolution.

Moreover, the Assessor’s office needs a technological facelift. Leveraging my private sector expertise, I plan to address current technology issues to streamline operations, enhance accuracy, and better serve the residents of Salt Lake County. It’s time to bring efficiency and fairness to the forefront of the Assessor’s office, bridging the gap between private sector know-how and public service.

FAQ

My Agenda Is You And What Matters To You And Your Family

This is actually a very common question I get while campaigning. The Utah Association of Counties made a really great video to explain the duties of an Assessor. But most people know what an Appraiser is. They are licensed to tell banks and other entities what a property is worth. The Assessor is the elected “Appraiser” for the county and works to create valuation practices for the county.

An Assessor decides how much properties are worth using a method that looks at lots of properties together, not one by one. They collect info like size, location, and use, and see how much similar places sell for. Then, they use math to make rules about what makes properties worth more or less. For example, bigger houses or those near parks might be worth more. This helps figure out a fair value for each property so everyone pays the right amount of taxes. It’s a quick way to make sure everyone’s treated fairly.


The Assessor determines your home’s value, influencing your property taxes. This value informs local entities (like school boards and municipalities) how much to charge in taxes as a percentage of that value. Essentially, the Assessor sets the stage for your tax bill, impacting what you pay to support community services.

The short answer is: Yes!
The long answer is: if you disagree with the assessed value of your property, you have the right to challenge it. The process typically involves filing an appeal with your local Assessor’s office within a specific timeframe after receiving your assessment notice. You’ll need to provide evidence as to why you believe the valuation is incorrect, such as recent sales data of comparable properties or information on any discrepancies in the property’s details. The Assessor’s office will review your appeal and may adjust the valuation based on the evidence provided. It’s a structured process designed to ensure fairness and accuracy in property valuations.

In Utah an Assessor needs to have an Appraiser license. Each state issues appraisal licenses based on federal minimum requirements. These requirements include extensive education requirements (including college education) as well as experience working with/for another Appraiser in a mentorship role.

In an ideal world, property valuations would be uniformly fair. However, biases and inaccuracies can arise without rigorous controls. Advanced tools and systems are essential to ensure valuations are both precise and equitable. They guard against subjectivity, making sure assessments are fair across the board. Essentially, the right infrastructure is key to maintaining valuation integrity.

Initially, the Assessor’s data comes from a physical assessment of your property, possibly conducted when it was first built. Over time, they update this data using property sales info, building permits, public records, and even satellite imagery to assess conditions and improvements. Although owners can submit information about their homes, it’s less common. If your property sold recently on a local MLS or other online platform, the Assessor most likely sees the data advertised for the property.

Yes, there are exemptions and reductions available for property taxes based on assessments. These often include reductions for non-profits, veterans, disabled individuals, and residential exemptions for primary residences. Some areas also offer tax relief based on agricultural properties.

Join our newsletter

Stay informed! Sign up for updates on my campaign’s progress toward the Salt Lake County Assessor seat. Join the newsletter!