Public Service Spotlight: Lesa Gofourth

At just 24 years old, Lesa Gofourth embarked on a journey that would define her professional life: becoming the Assistant Assessor for the County of San Luis Obispo. Her passion for real estate, arguing, and investigating led her to this role, driven initially by a personal connection through a friend's mom who knew the assessor.

Over time, her responsibilities expanded to encompass the day-to-day operations of the assessor's office, overseeing the creation of assessment rolls crucial for tax collection and auditing. Managing vast amounts of data, handling changes in ownership, and maintaining detailed maps were part of Lesa's routine. Her journey wasn't just about numbers and assessments; it was also a personal evolution.

Lesa found stability in the predictability of bi-weekly paychecks—an asset for a single parent navigating financial responsibilities. Benefits like health insurance, vacation time, and sick leave were not just perks but lifelines, providing security during challenging times.

Lesa, an Agriculture major at Cal Poly, chose not to follow the traditional farming path despite growing up in a farming family. Throughout her career, Lesa emphasized the importance of perseverance, especially in navigating challenging work environments. Her advice for newer employees of the County is, “You have to stay and make it worth it. Have grit. Get passed the bad bosses, the next boss will be great. Make a career for yourself and then you can create a beautiful life for your family.”

Lesa became a SLOCEA member shortly after being hired by the County. Her involvement grew into being a Director on the SLOCEA Board and in 2009, she accepted the position as President of the Association. She believed strongly in the power of collective bargaining to secure better futures, not only for herself, but for all County employees. That is why she also was a member of the Negotiations Team many times during her involvement with the Association. Tom Bordonaro, the County Assessor, commented, “Lesa is a force when accomplishing the analytical work of an assessor. She is even more of a force of nature when helping to advance [the rights of] her co-workers and all employees of the County.”

When she was promoted to Assistant Assessor, she was no longer in a SLOCEA-represented bargaining unit, but Lesa maintained her membership and kept paying dues. When asked why she continued her SLOCEA membership, Lesa stated that she felt it was one way to maintain the interconnectedness of employee well-being and effective management, reinforcing her belief in proactive leadership.  

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant test for Lesa and her team, requiring rapid adaptation to changing rules and safety protocols while maintaining essential County services. Her leadership during this time was marked by navigating complex regulatory changes and ensuring the office's operational continuity amid uncertainty.

One of Lesa's greatest professional achievements was her role during litigation with those who did not find their appraisal to be fair. These concerns were seen by an Appeals Board, where she demonstrated that the assessment was fair based on comparable sales. Her success in defending these assessments was a personal victory, as well as a County victory. The income from these assessments helps to pay for County roads, maintaining access to the Central Coast we all treasure.

Lesa’s journey serves as an inspiration to those navigating complex career paths, demonstrating that resilience, integrity, and community-mindedness are integral to professional success and personal fulfillment. Looking ahead, Lesa says she will enjoy her retirement by carving out hiking trails on her property in Santa Margarita and taking up Pilates.

Briana Dickey

Administrative Assistant