Both the Webster County assessor and deputy assessor resigned Monday, just hours after one another.

Angie Vinson, who has served the county for 32 years, submitted her resignation as assessor, effective in 30 days, at Monday’s Webster County Conference Board meeting.

Lori Wittmeier Owen, the deputy assessor, submitted her resignation shortly after. Wittmeier Owen has served Webster County for 37 years.

“The Conference Board and I couldn’t come to an agreement on my salary,” said Vinson. “We were at an impasse and I felt that it was time for me to move on.”

Vinson’s salary is $103,627, according to information provided by Gary Nelson, chairman of the Webster County Examining Board, the panel that hires the assessor.

He said Vinson was hired at a “below market rate” salary with the understanding that she would get a raise after proving her proficiency at the job.

“She was hired below what she was worth,” he said. “She deserves that catch-up raise.”

“She never had the wage adjustment she was entitled to,” he added.

There are Iowa counties with fewer land parcels and smaller populations that pay their assessors more than what Vinson is paid, according to the information provided by Nelson. That information shows the Boone County assessor’s salary at $129,465 and the Hamilton County assessor’s salary at $122,876.

Nelson said Vinson wants a salary of $115,000.

He added that the county will pay more than that to hire a new assessor.

Webster County Supervisor Niki Conrad said following the Conference Board meeting, she contacted Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll and Ted Vaughn, the county’s director of human resources, for guidance.

“This is all new territory, so I’m working with our team to determine next steps as outlined in Iowa Code,” said Conrad. “While I am saddened by this outcome, I respect Assessor Vinson’s decision and will do what I can to make this transition as smooth as possible. She has served Webster County well for several years, and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

According to Vinson, without an assessor or deputy assessor, the auditor then takes on the role as acting assessor. The county will then call into session the Examining Board, which is made up of three individuals. The Examining Board will then request a list of assessors from the Iowa Department of Revenue. The board will choose from that list and can choose to conduct interviews and continue the hiring process.

Conrad added that she notified the Examining Board of the requirement that they request the list of qualified candidates from the Iowa Department of Revenue.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to serve as the county assessor and to serve the citizens of Webster County,” said Vinson.