Hanks denies bias in Humboldt County property assessments amid assessor race

A reader’s question in local election coverage put Audrey Hanks on the defensive over one of the most sensitive issues in county government: whether Humboldt County property assessments are being handled fairly. Asked by Wade whether there was bias in the way assessments have been handled over the last four years, Hanks answered plainly that there is no bias in the Humboldt County Assessor’s Office and said the office follows the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

Hanks tied that response to the way the office is staffed and overseen. She said the appraisers are certified property-tax appraisers who must work within those guidelines, and she noted that the California State Board of Equalization audits assessor offices to make sure they comply. State law requires county property-tax appraisers to hold a valid appraiser’s or advanced appraiser’s certificate, and the Board of Equalization says assessors and appraisers must complete ongoing training to keep that certification current.

The exchange carries weight because the assessor’s office touches nearly every taxpayer in Humboldt County. The office appraises secured and unsecured property, prepares the tax roll, and keeps records of taxable property. Through the county’s Property Assessment Inquiry system, residents can search by parcel number, assessment number, or street address to look up values and related records. For many owners, that makes the office the place where tax bills start to take shape.

California’s broader property-tax structure adds to the stakes. Under Proposition 13, real property is generally assessed using a base-year value with annual increases capped at 2 percent. But not every asset is treated the same. Business personal property, boats, airplanes and some other restricted property are subject to annual reappraisal and assessment, which can make consistency and transparency especially important for local businesses and other owners watching their bills.

The race itself began after Howard LaHaie decided to retire after one four-year term as Humboldt County assessor. That opened the door to a contest between Hanks, the deputy assessor-valuation who has worked in the office for 23 years, and Ben Larson, a mortgage loan officer with decades in lending. Ballotpedia lists both candidates in the June 2, 2026 primary.

The bias allegation may have been raised as a campaign question, but the bigger issue for voters is public trust: whether homes, businesses and other taxable property are being assessed consistently, and whether the office can explain those numbers clearly enough to hold up under scrutiny. Hanks’ answer rested on compliance, certification and state oversight. The next question for voters is whether that is enough, or whether the next assessor will need to do more to reassure a county that depends on the office’s judgment every year.