Chief deputy county assessor Cindy Portmann retires

EVERETT — After 30 years working in Snohomish County government, chief deputy assessor Cindy Portmann headed into retirement Wednesday.

Portmann served 12 years as the county’s elected assessor. Term limits prevented her from running for re-election in 2015. Upon taking office, Assessor Linda Hjelle named Portmann her top deputy.

“She has been a diligent worker for the public,” said Hjelle, who was the chief deputy under Portmann. “She has been extremely conscientious about customer service and providing the best that we can from our office.”

The comments came Tuesday as the County Council and Executive Dave Somers’ office recognized Portmann’s service with a joint resolution.

Portmann started as an office assistant before ascending to the highest positions in the office. She worked as former Assessor Gail Rauch’s chief deputy until term limits forced Rauch to step down in 2003.

As an elected leader, Portmann is credited with moving the county in 2004 to annual property tax evaluations, instead of once every four years, and providing appraisal staff with hand-held devices in the field.

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