Levey sworn in as new assessor

MERCED -- Barbara J. Levey was sworn in Thursday as Merced County assessor-clerk-recorder-registrar of voters, county officials announced.

Levey takes the reins of the role from Kent Christensen, who has retired after 35 years with the county. Christensen announced his retirement last month, and Levey was appointed by the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 4.

"I think she's perfectly capable," Christensen said of his successor. "She's been my assistant as long as I've been assessor and she's a logical choice for the board to make."

The assessor is responsible for locating, identifying and valuing all taxable property in Merced County. The recorder is responsible for providing the public with constructive notice of private acts, as well as creating and maintaining custody of permanent records for all documents filed and recorded in the county. The clerk oversees the issuance of marriage licenses, performs marriage ceremonies and files fictitious business names. The duties of the registrar of voters include conducting federal, state and local elections, as well as registering voters and keeping the voter registration file, according to a county news release.

Most recently, Levey served as the assistant assessor-clerk-recorder-registrar of voters in Merced County.

She began working as an auditor-appraiser with the county in 1986 and has served in a variety of appraisal, supervisory and management positions since then. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the office and is certified by the California State Board of Equalization as an Advanced Appraiser for Property Tax Purposes.

"I am excited to continue working to improve the services these offices provide to the people of Merced County," Levey said in the release.

Levey graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. She is active in a number of professional and community organizations, including the California Assessor's Association, the County Recorders Association of California, the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials, and Our Lady of Mercy-St. Patrick's Parish. She also serves on the board of the California Electronic Recording Transaction Network Authority.

Her term expires in 2015.