Mike Castellon. Florida-man.

BACKGROUND:

Four years ago, when he was elected as the St. Joseph County Assessor, the job paid $65,000 per year. [1]

But Florida-man Mike didn’t think that was enough for a brand new elected Florida-man… so the first thing he did was lobby for a big pay raise.

And boy did he get one! All the way up to $100,000 a year! [2]

Now, Florida-man Mike Castellon can really afford to live in… Florida.

That’s right, we pay Florida-man Mike $100,000-per-year to be the St. Joseph County, Indiana Assessor while he lives in a $329,000 four-bedroom home in Port Charlotte, Florida.

He even claims a “homestead exemption” to get a Florida tax break! [3]

And boy is Florida-man Mike living the Florida-man life!

How is paying Florida-man Mike Castellon $100k to live in Florida even legal you might ask?

Doesn’t Indiana law require a County Assessor to own property in the County?

It sure does… but no problem there. 

Two days before the local Republicans chose Florida-man Mike to be their Assessor candidate, they simply called up a wealthy Republican donor and transferred him a vacant lot for just 10 bucks, and presto, Florida-man Mike was an instant property owner!  [4]

Now, Florida-man Mike wants us to re-elect to four more years of us paying him $100,000-per-year while he lives the Florida-man life!

SOURCES:

1. St. Joseph County Council approves salary increases; adjusts health department, WNDU, 7/11/2023

2. Council approves $100K salaries for 3 officials, adds 'fix' to how surveyor paid, South Bend Tribune, 7/12/2023

3. Candidate challenges opponent’s residency in St. Joseph County Assessor race, WNDU, 8/12/2022

4. In St. Joe County assessor race, Castellon denies opponent's claims he lives out of state, South Bend Tribune, 7/8/2022