The property appraiser's primary job is to prepare an annual tax roll (assessment roll) which complies with Constitutional and specific State mandated standards in order for it to be approved each year by the Florida Department of Revenue [1]
Jim Ford was appointed as Brevard's Property Appraiser by Governor Martinez. He was subsequently elected property appraiser in 1988. He has served continuously since that time.
In 2008 several members of the property appraiser's staff were charged with ethical violations.[2] In 2010, two members of the property appraiser's office settled their state ethics cases.[3] Then in November 2010, after defeating Larry Hughes, Mr. Ford resigned. This allowed Mr. Ford to collect $337,000 in deferred retirement benefits and to continue in his role of property appraiser in January when his new term took effect. He is now earning his salary plus a monthly retirement check worth almost $7,000.[4]