WATCH: Mizzou football players take questions after practice
Matthew Sanders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou Tiger football players took questions from reporters after another day of fall camp on Tuesday.
Watch their answers in the media player.
Shooting stars over the desert: Perseid Meteor Shower peaks Tuesday night in Joshua Tree & Coachella Valley
Garrett Hottle
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) The Perseids meteor shower, one of the year’s most anticipated night-sky events, peaks Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning and skywatchers across the Coachella Valley, Twentynine Palms, and Joshua Tree are preparing for the show.
The shower runs from mid-July through late August, but this year’s peak lands just three days after the full Sturgeon Moon. Unfortunately, the bright – waning gibbous will wash out all but the brightest streaks.
Under dark, moonless skies the Perseids can produce up to 100 meteors an hour, but NASA and the American Meteor Society say this year’s rates will be closer to 10–20 per hour locally, with occasional fireballs still possible.
When is the best time to watch?
Predicted max: 12–1 a.m. PDT Wednesday (Aug. 13), when the radiant in the constellation Perseus is high in the sky.
The American Meteor Society recommends finding a dark location away from lights, using terrain to block the moon, and giving your eyes 30 minutes to adjust.
Moonrise in Palm Springs is around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, earlier in the night you may have a chance to catch rare “earthgrazers” low on the horizon.
Top local viewing spots include Joshua Tree National Park’s Cap Rock, Ryan Mountain, Hidden Valley, and Quail Springs, which are all part of the park’s International Dark Sky designation.
An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect through Tuesday at 8 p.m. Officials urge visitors to hydrate, avoid hiking to remote spots at night, and pull fully off roadways if stopping. Red lights are preferred over flashlights to preserve night vision.
More on the Perseids: The meteors are fragments from Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle burning up in Earth’s atmosphere, known for their speed and bright fireballs. Even in challenging moonlight, local astronomers say the Perseids are worth catching and this week’s sky show is just the start.
Later this week, Twentynine Palms hosts the AREA 29: Galactic Gathering from Aug. 14–17, a citywide celebration of UFOs, sci-fi, and stargazing, including a special “Alien Probe” stargazing night at the 29 Palms Inn.
Also on Aug. 16 the Sky’s the Limit Observatory in Twentynine Palms will host Dr. Eric Mamajek who will explore “How many planets like earth might there be?” The program starts at 8:30pm and includes telescope stargazing. Tickets are $20 and must be reserved in advance.
Share your sky-watching photos with KESQ News Channel 3 by emailing us at share@kesq.com
Santa Barbara Airport gives passengers a week of perks during special appreciation event
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Free treats, a nuzzle from a therapy dog and some on-the-spot prizes are all part of Passenger Appreciation Week going on at the Santa Barbara Airport this week.
The airport is out front during this special week to share many perks. That includes coffee from the Santa Barbara Roasting Company, ice cream from McConnells, Ivan nutrition bars (locally based), coloring books and emergency information from Direct Relief and tickets to UC Santa Barbara sports. The airport also has luggage tags, small wooden airplane kits for kids, wing pins from Alaska Airlines and stickers.
Cottage Hospital therapy dogs are giving passengers some stress relief in their walk between the gates. Nadine Melancon handles a couple of poodles and said she is at the airport on a regular basis. “I come when ever I am in the neighborhood, once a week.”
The airport has been busy this summer season which follows in line with recent years post-Covid. The annual passenger count has exceeded 1-million since 2022.
Data from the airport shows:
2024: 1,418,996 passengers
2023: 1,277,545 passengers
2022: 1,219,581 passengers
Santa Barbara Airport Director Chris Hastert says he is personally meeting passengers and getting input through conversations. “We make little changes based on their feedback, so we have a new crosswalk over to the bus stop.” He also says business travel can make an impact. “If somebody mentions a route you can never discount it. There could be a local company with 100 employees that travels back to that location that we don’t know about so we listen to everything.”
One traveler, Vivian Leilani Shay came in from the bay area, she said, “I love Santa Barbara airport. I think it is just the quaintest easiest airport ever.”
Jennifer and Bryan Brown were traveling with their son Max who had a skateboard carry-on and said compared to New York, “this is so much easier a dream. We are so happy to fly out of here than to leave from LAX (Los Angeles). It has gotten easier, you don’t have to take your shoes off and the machines here, you don’t have to take your laptops out. I think once you get through the gate everything is pretty simple. “
Seeing the passenger perks when she arrived Shay said she had a stronger sense of comfort here. “We literally flew over my house today so I texted my neighbors saying ‘sorry guys that was me if you heard the noise!’ Yea flying is privilege and I don’t take it for granted and it is wonderful that we have such good infrastructure here.”
While waiting for planes the airport passengers can also taste a locally made beer from Figueroa Mountain Brewing. Friday, “Fig Mountain” will have some specials for the travelers as part of their promotional day to encourage people to their tasting rooms in the Funk Zone and the Santa Ynez Valley.
Saturday there will be a locally owned mobile book business, All Booked Up.
The airport has just added a Sunday non-stop flight to Phoenix on Southwest. This past weekend it was full.
For more information go to: Santa Barbara Airport Passenger Appreciation Week.
Another quiet week at the gas pumps as August settles in; Bend’s average price rose slightly, AAA reports
Barney Lerten
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The first full week of August was another week with just small price changes at the gas pumps around the U.S., Oregon and the High Desert, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday.
Here’s their full report:
Most states, including Oregon, are seeing fluctuations of a nickel or less. Crude oil prices dipped below $64 per barrel last week, which is putting some downward pressure on pump prices. However, hurricane season is the wild card and could impact gas and oil prices later this summer.
For the week, the national average for regular ticks down two cents to $3.14 a gallon. The Oregon average ticks up one cent to $3.99 a gallon, while Bend’s average rose 2.3 cents to $3.84 a gallon:
“Gas prices remain cool as temperatures heat up. It’s been a relatively calm summer at the pumps so far,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“Factors that could impact oil and gas prices include any hurricane that impacts production, some other disruption that impacts supplies, economic news, and/or geopolitical events. This week, markets will watch what happens in talks with the U.S. and Russia to end the war in Ukraine, which began more than three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine.”
The Oregon average for regular gas began 2025 at $3.45 a gallon and is currently at $3.99. The highest price of the year so far is $4.076 on June 24 and 25. The lowest price of the year so far is just under $3.45 a gallon on January 2.
The national average began 2025 at $3.06 a gallon and is currently at $3.14. The highest price of the year so far is $3.268 on April 4. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.06 on January 5.
This week 17 Oregon counties have averages at or above $4:
Clackamas $4.06
Clatsop $4.18
Columbia $4.14
Curry $4.12
Grant $4.16
Harney $4.22
Hood River $4.00
Jackson$4.04
Josephine $4.09
Lake $4.12
Multnomah $4.12
Sherman $4.02
Tillamook $4.16
Wallowa $4.16
Wasco $4.07
Washington $4.12
Yamhill $4.03
Demand for gasoline in the U.S. decreased from 9.15 million b/d to 9.04 for the week ending August 1, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This compares to 8.97 million b/d a year ago. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 228.4 million barrels to 227.1. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day, compared to 10.0 million barrels per day the previous week.
Pump prices will likely continue to see just small fluctuations if WTI crude oil prices remain below $70 per barrel and there are no supply disruptions.
Gas prices typically rise starting in mid-to-late winter and early spring as refineries undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive to produce and less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures.
The switch occurs first in California, which is why pump prices on the West Coast often rise before other parts of the country. The East Coast is the last major market to switch to summer-blend fuel. Most areas have a May 1 compliance date for refiners and terminals, while most gas stations have a June 1 deadline to switch to selling summer-blend until June 1.
Switch-over dates are earlier in California, with some areas in the state requiring summer-blend fuel by April 1. Some refineries will begin maintenance and the switchover in February.
Gas prices usually drop in the fall, due to the switch from summer-blend to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to produce. The switch starts in September. Many areas, including Oregon, can sell winter-blend fuel starting September 15.
However, Northern and Southern California require summer-blend fuel through October 31. Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring.
The U.S. price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) had been mostly in the mid-$60s to mid-$70s since last September. Crude prices spiked to the mid-$70s in mid-June in response to the strikes between Israel and Iran, and then the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, but then prices fell back into the $60s on the belief that the conflict would not have a major impact on global oil supplies.
Crude prices fell in early April as markets reacted to President Trump’s tariffs and the impact on U.S. and global markets. Additional downward pressure on crude prices came after the decision by OPEC+ to increase production. The lowest closing price since September was $57.13 on May 5, which was the lowest closing price since February 2021. The recent high price for crude was $80.04 per barrel on January 15, which was the highest price since last August.
Crude oil is trading around $64 today compared to $65 a week ago and $80 a year ago. In 2024, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $66 and $87 per barrel. In 2023, WTI ranged between $63 and $95 per barrel. WTI reached recent highs of $123.70 on March 8, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and $122.11 per barrel on June 8, 2022. The all-time high for WTI crude oil is $147.27 in July 2008.
Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the current economic uncertainty, unrest in the Middle East including the recent strikes between Israel and Iran and the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the war between Israel and Hamas, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a top global oil producer, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Crude prices have been volatile after the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023.
While Israel and the Palestinian territory are not oil producers, concerns remain that the conflict could spread in the Middle East, which could potentially impact crude production in other oil-producing nations in the region. In addition, production cuts by OPEC+ in previous years tightened global crude oil supplies, which continued to impact prices. But now the cartel boosted production by 411,000 barrels in May and June, and July, and announced an increase for August of 548,000 barrels per day.
Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 50% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 17% is refining, 17% distribution and marketing, and 16% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains near record highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in his country ticked down from 13.31 to 13.28 million barrels per day for the week ending August 1. The record high is 13.63 million barrels per day for the week of December 6. Production has been at 13.5 million barrels per day many times since October. The U.S. has been the top producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and has been increasing its oil production since about 2009.
Quick stats
Oregon is one of seven states with higher prices now than a week ago. Indiana (-9 cents) has the biggest week-over-week decline in the nation. Washington (+2 cents) has the largest week-over-week increase. Most states have just small fluctuations in pump prices this week, with 45 states and the District of Columbia seeing their averages change by a nickel or less.
California ($4.50) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the second week in a row. Hawaii ($4.46) is second, and Washington ($4.41) is third. These are the three states with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week 27 states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3-range. There are 20 states with an average in the $2 range this week.
The cheapest gas in the nation is in Mississippi ($2.69) and Oklahoma ($2.72). No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant declines in crude oil and gasoline demand in the U.S. and around the world.
The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $1.80 this week, compared to $1.79 a week ago.
Oregon is one of 31 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is two cents less and the Oregon average is one cent less than a month ago. Wisconsin (-14 cents) has the largest month-over-month drop in the nation. Colorado (+10 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase. The average in Vermont is flat.
Washington, Oregon and Alaska are the only states with higher prices now than a year ago. The national average is 30 cents less, while the Washington average is 18 cents more, the Oregon average is 12 cents more, and the Alaska average is one cent more than a year ago. Wisconsin (-54 cents) has the largest yearly drop.
West Coast
The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with six of the seven states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution.
Rank
Region
Price on 8/11/2025
1
California
$4.50
2
Hawaii
$4.46
3
Washington
$4.41
4
Oregon
$3.99
5
Alaska
$3.77
6
Nevada
$3.75
7
Idaho
$3.54
8
Utah
$3.39
9
Illinois
$3.38
10
District of Columbia
$3.30
As mentioned above, California has the most expensive gas in the nation for the second week in a row. Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Nevada round out the top six. Arizona is 13th. Oregon is fourth most expensive for the 12th week in a row.
Like most other states, the states in the West Coast region have small week-over-week changes. Washington (+2 cents), Arizona (+1.5 cents), Oregon (+1 cent), Nevada (+1 cent), and Alaska (+1/2 cent) have small increases. Hawaii (-1/2 cent) and California (-1/2 cent) and have small week-over-week declines.
The refinery utilization rate on the West Coast climbed from 89.8% to 92.9% to for the week ending August 1. This rate has ranged between about 72% to 93% in the last year. The latest national refinery utilization rate rose from 95.4% to 96.9%.
The refinery utilization rate measures how much crude oil refineries are processing as a percentage of their maximum capacity. A low or declining rate can put upward pressure on pump prices, while a high or rising rate can put downward pressure on pump prices.
According to EIA’s latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region increased from 30.87 million bbl. to 31.77 million bbl. An increase in gasoline stocks can put downward pressure on pump prices, while a decrease in gasoline stocks can put upward pressure on pump prices.
Oil market dynamics
Crude oil prices fell last week. Markets on Friday, closing at a three-week low, as markets react to the talks between the U.S. and Russia to end the war in Ukraine, which began in 2022 when Russia invaded that country. President Trump is set to meet with Russian President Putin this Friday in Alaska. An end to the war would boost global oil supplies, as current sanctions on Russia would likely end. Crude prices are also seeing some downward pressure on the decision by OPEC+ to boost output by an additional 547,000 barrels per day starting September 1.
Meanwhile, the EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 3 million barrels from the previous week. At 423.7 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI held steady at $63.88. At the close of Monday’s formal trading session, WTI ticked up eight cents to settle at $63.96. Today crude is trading around $63 compared to $65 a week ago. Crude prices are about $17 less than a year ago. ($80.06 on August 12, 2024)
Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
Diesel
For the week, the national average dips two cents to $3.72 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average also slips two cents to $4.49. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago, the national average for diesel was $3.75, and the Oregon average was $3.99.
Find current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.
Rent, medical costs drive year-over-year inflation
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Matthew Sanders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Increases in rent and medical costs drove Midwest inflation in July compared to the year before, but prices for food and energy fell for the month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Year-over-year inflation in the Midwest, including Missouri, was up 2.6% in July, the bureau stated in a news release Tuesday. That increase was driven largely by a 5.1% increase in home ownership costs, a 3.6% increase in medical costs and a 5% increase in rent.
Those increases were balanced by falling food and energy prices that pegged inflation at just 0.2% compared to June. Natural gas and gasoline prices decreased, while electricity prices were up in July, according to the release.
Food prices were down 0.2% compared to June. Grocery prices fell 0.5% while food consumed away from home increased 0.3%.
Energy and food prices were all higher compared to last year, with natural gas prices rising 14.6% during that time.
The Midwest numbers were similar to those reported nationally, with prices up 0.2% compared to June and 2.7% compared to the year before.
Yellowstone Park visits up by 1.5% in 2025
Curtis Jackson
The following is a news release from Yellowstone National Park.
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. (KIFI) — Yellowstone National Park hosted 975,109 recreation visits in July 2025, down 2% from July 2024 (992,352 recreation visits).
This July’s visitation showed an 10% decrease from July 2021 (1,080,767 recreation visits). The park’s record-breaking year was 2021, with over 4.8 million recreation visits.
So far in 2025, the park has hosted 2,666,031 recreation visits, up 1.5% from 2024 (2,626,091 recreation visits), and down 0.1% from 2021 (2,668,765 recreation visits).
The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through July):
2025 – 2,666,031
2024 – 2,626,091
2023 – 2,462,535
2022 – 1,855,396 (The park was closed June 13 through June 21 due to the historic flood event. Three entrances opened on June 22.)
2021 – 2,668,765
2020 – 1,674,699 (The park was closed March 24 through May 17 due to COVID-19. Two entrances opened on May 18 and the remaining three opened on June 1.)
Visiting Yellowstone National Park during the busy summer months? Plan ahead by browsing our top things to know and downloading the free NPS app. Protect yourself and the park by taking the Yellowstone Pledge, act responsibly and safely, and set a good example for others.
More data on park visitation, including how we calculate these numbers, is available on the NPS Stats website.
Deputy chief for YFD completes international professional delegation process
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) says YFD Deputy Fire Chief John Louser completed a process which awards the professional delegation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO).
According to a press release, the Commission on Professional Credentialing met last Monday “to confer the delegation,” with Deputy Chief Louser becoming “one of only 2,000 CFOs worldwide.”
CPSE says the program “is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence” in seven of the following measured components:
Experience
Education
Professional development
Professional contributions
Association membership
Community involvement
Technical competence
CPSE also says, “All applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan,” and says the designation is valid for three years.
To learn more about Louser’s designation, read the press release below.
‘Huge impact’: Pilots can get licenses faster, fly larger planes under new FAA rules
Cameron Montemayor
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The pathway to becoming a pilot and taking to the skies will be easier than ever under a new and long-awaited aviation rule change set to take effect this October.
U.S. aviation officials, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, unveiled widespread changes this July for light sport aircraft and sport pilot privileges, the largest overhaul in more than 20 years for a growing sector of recreational aviation.
Among a wide range of changes, the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule now allows those with Sport Pilot certification to operate a broader range of larger and more traditional aircraft, such as the Piper Cherokee and Cessna 182, essentially cutting the amount of time in half that it takes to fly one.
“It’s amazing. It’s one of the best things I’ve seen happen to aviation in the 15 years I’ve been flying,” FlyTech Pilot Academy co-founder Lute Atieh said. “The sport license basically says if you’re a recreational pilot, you can get this license. It’s half the time, half the money, half the effort of a full license.”
With proper training, sport pilots will be allowed to fly at night and operate more complex aircraft. The rule will also reduce weight restrictions, enhance landing gear capabilities and allow for constant-speed propellers.
Used primarily for recreational aviation, a sport pilot’s license requires a minimum of 20 hours of flight time while also being more affordable than a standard pilot’s license, which requires twice the amount of flight hours.
“If you possess the ability to have a driver’s license, you can then start earning your sport pilot’s license,” Atieh said.
Atieh said it took five years for him to get a standard pilot license, a long and slow process, with a number of areas not consistently utilized by sports pilots.
“We limit a few things that most of you will never use … so it’s really right-sizing the steps toward becoming a pilot,” Atieh said. “Most of us are just going to be at the sport license level. Fly around, enjoy, go do little vacations. And this is a perfect license for it.”
The FAA created the initial LSA category and the Sport Pilot certificate in 2004. Officials pointed to a solid safety record of LSAs during that time, showing the FAA could safely expand the aircraft category.
With more pilots potentially taking to the skies in the years to come, industry advocates are hopeful the rule will have a chain reaction that inspires aircraft manufacturers to enhance or create new aircraft that support a growing market.
“This is going to really inspire manufacturers to do more. It’s going to take older aircraft and retrofit them to do more,” Atieh said. “This is a huge. I think it’ll take a few years to realize how important this was for aviation.”
New MOSAIC rules also open the door for older pilots who were previously discouraged from flying due to certain types of medications or health issues.
Petition to overturn same-sex marriage ruling sparks local reaction
Luis Avila
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A new push to overturn same-sex marriage is drawing strong reaction.
Kim Davis, a former Kentucky clerk, has filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its 2015 decision that made same-sex marriage legal nationwide. Davis made headlines a decade ago when she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and was later jailed for not following the law. Now, she says her religious rights were violated — and wants the Court to hear her case.
Mitchell Battersby, Director of Volunteers for Palm Springs Pride, voiced skepticism that the Court will ultimately take up the case. However, he also warned that recent history shows how uncertain legal protections can be.
“Nobody thought Roe v. Wade would be overturned and it was.”
Mitchell Battersby, Palm Springs Pride Director of Volunteers
Battersby warns that the case is about more than just marriage.
“This affects a lot of people. It affects their federal tax returns, their state tax returns, it affects deductions, it affects adopting children, having children, it affects so many things and so it’s not just gay marriage.”
Mitchell Battersby, Palm Springs Pride Director of Volunteers
Advocates are also pointing to a larger trend of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and policy shifts, particularly from the Trump administration.
Legal experts believe the petition will likely once again be rejected — as similar challenges have been before. At least four justices would have to agree to review the case. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have expressed support.
Advocates say they are watching closely and urging the community to speak out.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
Cole County salary study to address salaries for full-time employees
Haley Swaino
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Cole County Commission signed a contract Tuesday to study the salaries of the county’s more than 350 full-time employees.
The $52,500 contract with Condrey and Associates, a human resources firm based in Georgia, will review only full-time positions, with a focus on correcting existing salary compression. Salary compression happens when pay increases for new hires, but doesn’t go up at the same rate for veteran employees.
Commission documents say the study will analyze the existing salary structure and recommend changes based on market pay rates. The focus will be making sure those salaries are competitive.
The county sought a contractor with a minimum of five years professional experience in conducting salary studies for local governments. They also required the firm to have completed at least 10 studies before signing with Cole County.
The last classification and pay plan study in the county was done by the Archer Company in 2006.
The county has approved almost $87 million for salaries. A 2.2% cost-of-living raise plus $500 was approved for salaries within the budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
The study will also seek to understand specific concerns of county employees and officials.
The study will include the assessor’s office employees. Cole County Assessor Christopher Estes told ABC 17 News that salaries at his office are not competitive.
“Almost without exception, you’re going to find that the salaries in the assessor’s office are anywhere from $2,000 to $9,000 less [than jobs with similar descriptions in Cole County],” Estes said.
Estes said troubles began when Missouri’s appraisal commission raised education requirements in 2008.
“They changed it to require that you had a four-year college degree before you could enter the program to become an appraiser, which is just crazy,” Estes said. “You don’t have to have a four-year degree. But the appraisal commission made that change.”
Estes said he now has to make his employees go through even more training.
“So if you go to college for four years, you get out of college and you want to get work for me, I’m going to have to send you through another four years of training to become an appraiser,” Estes said. “And you’re probably going to make about $40,000. Not a very good salary.”
He said he has brought these concerns to the commissioners.
“I’ve gone to the county commissioners and said, ‘Hey, we need to pay my people more,'” Estes said. “And they did a large raise in ’20, I think ’23 and ’24. And both times we got less than everybody else did. The last adjustment that was made for the rest of the county was well over what we got. So all of the people in my office that have comparable jobs … in another office, my accounting clerks and things like that, where the jobs are very similar, their salaries are well below what the other offices are.”
Estes hopes the study will correct the wage gaps his office faces. He said these issues continue to make retention and hiring difficult.
“I’m hoping that the employees in the assessor’s office are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve and to receive the salaries that are competitive with the other county offices in Cole County, because that’s who they should be competitive with,” Estes said.
Condrey and Associates is required to schedule an initial meeting with the county to discuss how it plans to perform the study. An orientation is scheduled for Sept. 16.