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Inside the Assessor's Office: Mike Castellon Works For You, The Taxpayer
By Logan Foster
Date: 03/29/25
For many residents, the St. Joseph County Assessor's office may not evoke much thought until their property taxes arrive in the mail. However, under the leadership of Republican St. Joseph County Assessor Mike Castellon, the Assessor's Office has become more than just a mechanism for government bureaucracy. It has evolved into a trusted resource for taxpayers navigating one of the most significant financial touchpoints in their lives. Castellon has made it his mission to serve the public with transparency, fairness, and a personal touch rarely seen in public service.
Why Castellon Ran For Office
Mike Castellon’s story begins in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he was born and raised. After graduating from LaVille High School, Castellon joined the military, dedicating over 20 years to serving his country. Upon retiring, he returned home to help his family manage a bowling alley. It was during this period that Castellon's encounter with the property tax system would inspire a major career shift.
Discovering that the property's taxes had surged unexpectedly, Castellon sought answers from the local assessor's office. The response he received was dismissive. "...they told me that if I didn't like it, run for office. And so we did. And I won that first election off of $538." That election launched Castellon's career in public office, giving him a platform to reform how residents interact with their government.
A Leader Focused on Serving Taxpayers
First taking public office in 2011, Castellon served as the Penn Township Assessor. He held this position through the end of 2022. In November of 2022, Castellon was elected as St. Joseph County Assessor, receiving 37,568 votes. Castellon's vote tally beat every other candidate on St. Joseph County's ballot who participated in a contested race, which included federal contests for U.S. Representative and U. S. Senator. Castellon's tenure is marked by a focused mission to ensure taxpayers are treated fairly and respectfully. "We have a generational connection here," Castellon said. "We're not in Washington, D.C., we're not in Indianapolis, we're in St. Joseph County. These are our friends, our family members, our grandmas, our sisters. We have generational connection... you need to treat them as if they were your family..."
Under his leadership, the assessor's office underwent substantial changes. When Castellon took office, there were approximately 13,000 property tax appeals, amounting to more than 11% of the county’s 118,000 parcels. Today, that number has dropped to less than half annually. Much of this success comes from implementing a more transparent, taxpayer-friendly process. "I believe property taxes are the most oppressive form of taxes you could possibly have. So if you're going to have that tax, then you need to have somebody there that's going to be fair, that understands the very surreal impact to the taxpayers. And if you don't, then you're just another government collection agency that's looking to screw over the taxpayer. And that's not what I want to do. I want to make sure that I take care of my community." Castellon stated.
His team, now composed of 33 highly trained professionals, has become a model of efficiency and expertise. "when I started we had 28 (FTE's) with 10 part-time positions. We eliminated those (Part-time) positions and now we're sitting at 33 (FTE's) of some of the most qualified experts in the field." Castellon explained. Additionally, 27 members of Castellon's office are "Level 3 Assessor-Appraiser" certified. Castellon has a goal to have all 32 staff members certified as "Level 3 Assessor-Apraiser" by the end of 2025.
Information Thats Accessible
A key component of Castellon’s approach is leveraging technology to improve transparency. When he entered office, taxpayers had limited access to clear, timely information about their assessments. To address this, Castellon introduced the Engage Portal, a system that provides real-time updates on assessment changes, sales comparisons, and property data. "Anything I see, you'll see. There's tutorials in there. There's state legislation in there. There's our land studies in there." he shared. This transparency significantly reduced the need to obtain information through Freedom of Information Act requests and built trust with the community.
Castellon’s commitment to fairness also extended to neglected areas of the tax system, particularly in commercial and exempt properties. Under his leadership, St. Joseph County implemented audits for both commercial and tax-exempt properties, identifying discrepancies and ensuring all entities paid their fair share. "two years ago, St. Joseph County was the number one county for tax-exempt properties in the continental United States. We have now implemented an audit system for tax-exempt to make sure that (only) the people who deserve it get it" he said.
Castellon's Perspective On Leadership
Beyond his technical expertise as a certified Level Three Assessor Appraiser, Castellon’s leadership philosophy emphasizes culture and mission. "leadership, you know, isn't something that you were born with. It's something that you cultivate over a long period of time" he reflected. For him, managing an office goes beyond tasks to encompass motivation, communication, and fairness. Employees in his office are provided with the tools, training, and purpose necessary to succeed. "and when you look at the management portion of leadership, you don't manage individuals, you manage expectations and once you understand those expectations, then you're able to tamp down internal conflict." Castellon noted.
Town Halls
To further bridge gaps between his office and taxpayers, Castellon hosts town hall meetings and speaking events throughout the year. Unlike elected officials who shy away from direct interaction, Castellon believes in facing the concerns of his constituents head-on. "So I'm the only elected official (locally) that does that. Last year I had 9 or 12 town hall meetings and 12 speaking events..."
These meetings, along with his emphasis on public engagement, have had a tangible impact. Mishawaka and surrounding communities have seen unprecedented economic development, a result Castellon attributes partly to fair and transparent assessment practices. "Mishawaka is now truly the jewel of the Northwest Corridor because of that, you know, that fairness in the assessment process. We took the rusty nail out of the front door and said, hey, we're going to treat you fair, so we want you to come here." he said.
Looking Ahead
With over 20 years of military service, more than a decade as Penn Township Assessor, and his ongoing role managing 118,000 parcels as the St. Joseph County Assessor, Castellon has consistently exemplified dedication and expertise in public service. Announcing his bid for reelection in 2026, he seeks to build on decades of steadfast leadership and commitment to the community. Castellon looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving with the same passion and excellence that have defined his career.