LEE GARDNER has been a resident of Salt Lake City for more than seventeen years and is currently living in a cottage bungalow near the University of Utah. Lee graduated from Brigham Young University and received his MBA from Texas A & M International University. He also attended the University of Utah for additional graduate work. Lee served six years in the Army achieving the rank of Captain.

Lee is a Certified General Appraiser (highest category in the state certification system), and a Designated Ad Valorem Appraiser through the Utah State Tax Commission. Lee has significant private sector appraisal experience both in Utah and California, and managed a major industrial park in southern Oregon. Lee has served as the past president and Legislative Chair of the Utah Association of Assessors, and was honored as the Property Tax Administrator of the Year by the Utah Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAA0), and later serving as it’s president.

Lee has reduced the inequity of property owners paying more than their fair share of property taxes by appraising all properties at the same time. In addition, he instituted a process known as “informal review” which gives taxpayers the opportunity to meet directly with staff to avoid the difficulties of the formal appeals process to correct errors in property characteristics and to discuss valuation issues. He has also saved county taxpayers millions of dollars by returning motor vehicle registration back to the state and preventing the Tax Commission from unfairly distributing taxes from trucking companies to other counties. Lee continues to encourage his staff to assist the elderly, as well as others who need help, through the appeals process.

Lee is the father of three sons (with one daughter-in-law). His wife, Glenna, passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. Lee enjoys being involved in community service, scouting and sports programs, and currently serves on the advisory board of the The Salvation Army and Centro de la Familia. Lee’s ancestry goes back to Utah pioneer times through his father who was born in Payson, Utah and to Mexico through his mother who was born in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico.