Elect Ryan Godbey for PVA

05/20/2026

Congratulations to John Haney. Wish you all the best!

While I fell short I am not disappointed. This race strengthened my faith in God. It brought be closer to my wife. I made wonderful friendships along the way. I am blessed beyond measure.

We worked hard. We ran a clean campaign without mudslinging. We just come up a little short on the votes.

Thank you to all who voted and supported me in this race. I wanted to win it for you! I am grateful to each and everyone of you. I am sorry that it didn’t work out the way we had hoped, but I believe God is still in control.

I still believe in faith, family, and freedom.

Again congratulations to John Haney for Pulaski County PVA and God Bless You All and Goodnight!

05/19/2026

I want to wish all the candidates, their families, and supporters, Happy Election Day.

Each of us who have competitors in our races, win or loose we are all still winners. We answered the call of democracy and did our part. Voting is a big part of our freedom!

To all our families and supporters…Thank you, thank you for supporting us. Campaigning is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting and without your support I don’t think any one of us could have made it through our campaigns.

Specifically to my family and friends…I am humbled by your belief in me. I thank you for helping me. I chose Ryan’s Army on my shirts because I knew we would start small but through teamwork and resilience we would build a campaign capable of defeating giants. Thank you all so much! Many of you started out as friends but have become family.

I am proud of the campaign we have ran. I am grateful for all those who have helped and supported me in any way. Thank you and God Bless You!

Psalm 46:10 - “Be Still and Know That I Am God” We have to have God in the good times…we have to have him in the bad times. He is in control and still God in both situations.

05/19/2026

My final plea…and everyone said thank goodness!

I have pushed House Bill 44 because it limits the amount of tax the government can collect due to rising assessments. I believe some taxing agencies are exceeding the 4% increase they are able to collect. My strength is tax, I have done them for almost 20 years.

I will not allow the taxing agencies to take more than the 4% increase without them taking a vote from the people as mandated. I will be your watchdog! I am on your side. It’s time we protect our citizens and ruffle a few feathers across the state.

My plan is not to wait for the state to provide relief through tax reform we are all hoping for. My plan is to use the current law to our benefit until that relief comes. Tax reform comes from our state legislatures not our PVA. I do hope I can use my experience to influence legislation, but until then I’m going to use my current experience to work for you.

To do so I need your vote on May 19th for Pulaski Co PVA. Ryan Godbey # 3 on the ballot!!

05/18/2026

I hope every voter asks questions, does their research, and makes an informed decision about who will do the best job in each office.

This is a critical time for our county. Pulaski County needs hard-working, dedicated people who are willing to come together for common priorities — taking care of our citizens, strengthening our communities, and building a better future for the next generation.

Your vote matters. Your voice matters. Most importantly, the future of Pulaski County matters. 🇺🇸

05/16/2026

FAIR & OBJECTIVE

Everyone wants low appraisals, everyone wants low property taxes. I am the only candidate who did not accept campaign contributions from anyone, I didn’t take checks, I didn’t take cash that can’t be tracked.

I didn’t take campaign contributions because I can’t be bought, I want to run the PVA office and be fair and objective. When the state comes in and says you have to raise assessments by $400,000,000 as they are currently doing, you have to be fair and objective. I am not saying my opponents are not, but I am saying that I didn’t take campaign contributions strictly so I can be fair and objective. I will work full-time for all people of Pulaski County. Pulaski County is my home, and you are my people.

I humbly ask for your vote and support on May 19th for Pulaski County Property Valuation Administrator.

05/15/2026

Here is the Kentucky Department of Revenue version of House Bill 44.

https://revenue.ky.gov/Property/Pages/PropertyTaxRates.aspx

I’m not going to give you an opinion of what it says you can read it for yourself. I am just telling you how I am going to utilize the law that is on the books to benefit the people of Pulaski Co.

We can utilize House Bill 44 and assess the county as a whole vs quadrants (sections) to reduce the major property tax spikes that are killing our elderly and our low-middle class income families.

I grew up poor, I have clients who are poor, I see the burden that these massive increases in property taxes put on families. I can’t make your taxes go away, but I can keep the massive spikes down. There is no reason for your property tax bill to double unexpectedly.

I too will advocate for tax reform. I believe I am the best candidate to advocate because I understand both sides the assessment side and tax side. I will be able to work with our local government and state legislature to propose plans where I can calculate the effects of law change on various entities.

We have not had major property tax reform since 1979. I will advocate, I will fight, but truth is tax reform hasn’t come 40 years so we have to have a plan to help people of Pulaski Co with laws we have currently.

Personal Opinion…I don’t foresee a complete overhaul of the property tax system. I forsee it as minor changes increasing gradually over time like income tax. Income tax started at 6% gradually stepping down to the 3.5% it’s at now with the hopes it will get to 0%.

I am the only candidate with experience in taxation and assessments. I will be Full-Time working for you.

I humbly ask for your vote on May 19th as Pulaski Co PVA.

The amount you pay in property taxes each year depends on two things: (1) the assessed value of your property and (2) the tax rates that are levied at both the State and local levels. This section will detail how property tax rates are calculated and set, how the public is notified of the tax rate....

05/15/2026

People want to know how I am going to utilize House Bill 44 to keep the spikes out of our property assessments.

House Bill 44 does not control the tax rates. House Bill 44 applies to the tax collected. The rates are adjusted up and down based on assessments.

The government decides if they want to take compensating rate or increase of up to 4%. If State is collecting $10,000,000 the most they can collect on old property is $10,400,000 thats if they take the 4% increase. That dollar amount is divided amongst the total assessment pool. That’s what controls the tax rate. If county is being assessed in 4 quadrants and property assessments double. If you only assess the 1st quadrant, then quadrant 1 is paying 2/5 of the taxes the other 3 are paying 1/5 each. That causes quadrant 1’s property taxes to shoot way up. The other quadrants come down because they are paying 1/5 instead of 1/4. In year 2 quadrant 2 pays 2/5 of taxes and other 3 are paying 1/5. Quadrant 2 shoots way up the others come down. If you assess all 4 quadrants at the same time then each quadrant pays their 1/4. The spikes are what’s killing our people on fixed income and low-middle income.

You have to understand assessments and taxation. Both sides work together. If you just focus on assessment side you will get what we have now. I am the only candidate who understands both sides.

My focus will be to utilize the current law to maximize the tax outcome for you.

Elect Ryan Godbey Pulaski Co PVA on May 19th.

05/13/2026

What can you do about my assessment? The #1 question I have heard on the campaign trail.

Might be a lengthy response but please follow along for some tips and my plan to ease the burden.

Pulaski Co PVA is elected by citizens of Pulaski County. But the PVA is paid by the State, PVA employees are paid by the state, PVA office is governed and ran by the state. The county provides a building for PVA, funding for training, and a few other minor things.

PVA is only elected position that I know of, where you can be relieved of your duties by the state.

How did we get here? State has what’s called a coefficient of dispersion, which charts how close the assessments are to the actual home sales. If a property is assessed at $100,000 and sales for $102,000 that’s good. If a property is assessed at $100,000 and sells for $250,000 that is bad and sends a red flag to the state.

Pulaski Co has had a lot of home sales over the past 5-7 years, many at over inflated values. But this ratio is what alerted the state to make Pulaski Co raise assessments $300-$400 MILLION each of the last few years. I have heard they are expecting another $300 million next year. Again state controls this, and is what’s mandated to the PVA. As PVA you comply with mandate or they will come in and do it for you and push you out like they did our beloved PVA Mr. Todd.

What is causing the major spikes in property taxes is when we take this $300-$400 million increase and assess by quadrants. Instead of dividing this assessment out across the whole county we are dividing it amongst one quadrant per year. So for the quadrant being assessed that year those taxpayers property taxes shoot way up 40-100%.

My Plan is to utilize the law (House Bill 44) which limits the taxes collected on old property to a maximum 4% increase each year as set by each the school board, state, and local government. I will utilize the market index, assess property as whole vs quadrants, and we can keep the large spikes out of property taxes. So instead of seeing 40-100% increase in property taxes in years you are assessed. We can assess with market index on county as a whole and keep that margin down closer to the 4% allowed by House Bill 44. This does not include new property, such as new house or new building.

PVA does not set legislation, state does and they have not had many significant changes since House Bill 44 in 1979. I would love to see tax reform at state level and I will advocate for it, but I feel like our best chance might be a tax credit for property taxes at the federal level. President Trump has mentioned wanting to do away with property taxes especially on seniors and this would be the easiest way to do so.

Now for how you can help you assessments currently.

1. Get on the PVA website PulaskiPVA.com and make sure your property is listed correctly. Do they have correct acreage or square footage? Do they have you having a finished basement when it’s unfinished? If it’s incorrect file an appeal.
2. Do you have multiple small parcels on separate deeds? In order to have a reduced assessment for agriculture you must have over 10 acres on the parcel. If you have 2 small parcels say 5 acres and 7 acres you would pay residential rates unless you combine the two deeds together.
3. If you are over 65 or 100% disabled then you qualify for homestead exemption. This exemption is $49,100 reduction of your assessment, but you have to go to the PVA office to apply.

That is just the problems and issues in property taxes on your property. PVA also deals with tangible property taxes on your inventory and equipment, as well as taxes on your vehicles.

PVA office is complex and challenging. No one wants to see their taxes rise especially when they are outpacing our income. We are being squeezed on all fronts, gas, groceries, insurance, utilities, and taxes. I have the knowledge and experience to lead the PVA office. I have experience in dealing with KY Department of Revenue on tax issues. I have the experience helping my clients reduce their income tax burden. I want to use my experience in helping you.

Lowest legal assessments won’t get us anywhere, banking on State legislature to implement tax reform won’t get us anywhere.
You need a candidate who has a plan dealing with the situation we are currently facing. I am that candidate.

I humbly ask for your vote on May 19th for Pulaski Co PVA.

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05/11/2026

I am an advocate for our senior citizens. The President has mentioned multiple times that he wants to remove property taxes for seniors. This could be done through the federal tax system as a credit to your income taxes.

The KY state legislature has proposed legislation to change the tax system the last few years, yet no changes have been made. If done at the federal level through a credit the local, state, and various taxing entities would not be affected.

Contact your Congressman and Senators to let them know you support President Trumps abolishment of property taxes.

05/10/2026

Experience matters…I have almost 20 years experience preparing income tax returns and tangible property tax returns. My unique skill set will allow me to utilize House Bill 44 to keep these massive property tax hikes from killing our seniors on fixed income and our low-middle income earners.

I have fought to save my clients every penny over the past 20 years. As PVA I will continue that fight for you.

Experience matters…the PVA office currently has a very experienced staff with many having over 10 years experience. I plan to retain the current PVA staff in their current roles.

As PVA I will utilize experience and new ideas to better serve the people of Pulaski County.

I humbly ask for your vote on May 19th for Pulaski Co PVA.