Campaign News
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Aug. 1, 2024
The Greater Tampa REALTORS (GTR) have once again endorsed Bob “Coach” Henriquez for reelection to the office of Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. The announcement was made by Jacob Bruynell, Director of Government Affairs for Greater Tampa REALTORS, on behalf of the association's Leadership Team and its more than 25,000 members.“It is an honor to endorse Bob Henriquez for reelection as Hillsborough County Property Appraiser,” Bruynell said. “Our Leadership Team and members recognize his knowledge of issues facing property owners in the county and his eagerness to address them.
“Bob has a proven track record of fiscal responsibility, technological advancement, and genuine concern for the county’s citizens. He demonstrates a strong commitment to public service and the real estate industry.”
GTR also endorsed Henriquez in 2020, acknowledging his commitment to transparency, accuracy, and service in property appraisals. Henriquez has been a steadfast supporter of the real estate industry and has worked tirelessly to ensure that property appraisals are conducted fairly and equitably.
"I am deeply honored to once again receive the support of such a prestigious group of Tampa Bay area realtors," said Henriquez. "The endorsement of the Greater Tampa REALTORS is a testament to our shared commitment to serving the people of Hillsborough County with fairness and dedication. I look forward to continuing our work together to support homeowners and the real estate community."
GTR, the "Voice for Real Estate" in Tampa since 1911, represents over 25,000 members and is the largest professional trade association in the Tampa Bay area. GTR is dedicated to serving its members by providing programs, products, and services that promote the success of its members and enhance the public’s trust in the real estate profession.
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March 8, 2024
Thanks to numerous volunteers and a strong Host Committee, Bob "Coach" Henriquez held a tremendously successful and entertaining Reelection Campaign Kickoff Reception on March 7th at the magnificent Columbia Restaurant Museum in Ybor City.
Several hundred guests attended the event, including Richard Gonzmart, who is the second great-grandson of Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., the founder of the world-famous Columbia Restaurant. The Columbia Restaurant Museum contains invaluable collectibles and artworks from the 119-year-old landmark restaurant and the Gonzmart Family.
The evening featured multiple guest speakers who are once again endorsing Coach Bob's reelection campaign. Guests enjoyed a selection of the Columbia's incredible food, as well as musical entertainment and, of course, Coach Bob speaking about his 2024 campaign and highlights of what he and his team have achieved serving as Hillsborough County Property appraiser these past 11 years.
To see photos from the evening's festivities, visit Coach Bob's re-election Facebook page.
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January 10, 2024
One of the biggest challenges for my office is the increasing complexity of property values. In the past, property values were relatively simple to determine, as most properties were similar in size and location. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards diversification and complexity in property types, locations and new or re-developing neighborhoods. This has created intricate challenges to develop accurate assessment models.
Another challenge is the increasing availability of data. Before I took office in 2013, assessors had limited access to data on property values. However, with the advent of new technologies that my office has helped develop, such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS) modeling and machine learning, assessors now have access to a far wider range of data. This can be a double-edged sword, as it can be difficult to manage and interpret large amounts of data.
Finally, there has been unprecedented growth in property values and as a result, non-homestead properties have seen an increase in property taxes. Assessors need to be able to communicate effectively with the public about the assessment process in order to build trust and credibility, and I believe our office strives to do that.
In addition to the challenges mentioned above, there are a number of other factors that can affect the accuracy of mass property assessments. These include:
The quality of the data and modeling used to develop the assessment models.
The availability of resources to conduct assessments.
The expertise and experience of the assessors.
The ability to interpret the nuances of unique properties, including residential, commercial and tangible.
Despite these challenges, the experience and leadership in my office will offer the most reliable, fair and equitable property assessment possible. By ensuring that property values are assessed fairly, governments can ensure that property taxes are equitable and that they are able to raise the revenue they need to provide essential services for our community.
Join the Team to Re-Elect Bob "Coach" Henriquez Hillsborough County Property Appraiser