(Atlantic) -Long-time Cass County Assessor Brenda Nelson tells KJAN News she has accepted a similar position with the City of Ames, and will be leaving the County in less than two-weeks. Nelson was one of two finalists interviewed in April for the Assessor’s job in Ames. A city assessor is responsible for assessing all real estate within city limits to determine property taxes. The position in Ames became vacant after former City Assessor Greg Lynch decided to retire after 15 years on the job. Nelson is a native of Elk Horn. Her father became a field appraiser and worked for the Shelby County Assessor’s Office for 13 years. In 1997, Nelson followed his footsteps.

Cass Co. Assessor Brenda Nelson

She applied for a job in the Cass County Assessor’s Office, was hired by her predecessor Linda Campbell, and when Campbell retired, took over the post she’s held, since 2003.

She was offered the City of Ames Assessor’s job Wednesday evening (May 12^th). She says she’ll be leaving Cass County in a couple of weeks. In fact her last day on the job is May 26^th.

Once she leaves office, Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman will fill her position until a replacement is found. Nelson acknowledges finding her replacement will likely not be easy, because of the requirements and a shortage of available candidates. The County has an option for finding an interim or shared Assessor, if a full-time person cannot be found.

The matter will likely be discussed during a Conference Board meeting set for this evening at 5:30, which Nelson plans on attending. She told KJAN News in Ames she’ll have a larger staff, which she’ll have to rely on initially, because of the expanded scope of her responsibilities.

Brenda says she thanks all the people she’s worked with over the years in Cass County.