A familiar Douglas County face is taking the reins of the appraiser’s office during a tough time in the real estate market.

County commissioners Monday appointed longtime county staffer Steven Miles to replace Marion Johnson, who retired in June after serving 18 years.

“I welcome the encouragement and support of the commission, the employees and all the citizens of Douglas County,” Miles said. “I intend to continue the work that Marion Johnson has put out for the last 18 years and just hope to serve you well.”

Miles has served as an appraisal manager in the office, and when Johnson stepped down in June, commissioners appointed Miles to be the interim appraiser.

“He comes to us with years of experience, the highest recommendations and great familiarity with our county, which is a real advantage,” Commissioner Nancy Thellman said.

He has worked in most areas of the office — in residential and agricultural appraisals with other stints in the mapping department and commercial real estate.

“I know the process. I know the office. I have worked with many of the personnel within the office,” Miles said. “I try and look at things from both sides before I make a final decision to try and be fair to everybody.”

Nationally and in Douglas County, real estate values have dropped during the economic recession. The county’s numbers for June still don’t point to a turnaround, Miles said.

According to the appraiser’s monthly report, the office worked 222 sales in June compared to 292 sales in June 2008. Through the end of June this year, 748 total sales have been reported in the county compared to 927 at this point in 2008.

Through the first half of 2009, the average sale price for existing homes is $185,001 compared to the overall 2008 average of $191,200.

Miles said when the market starts to rebound, the number of sales in the county would likely start to increase before the prices do.

During their search for a new appraiser, commissioners interviewed Miles and August Dettbarn, another longtime appraiser’s office staffer. A third candidate from outside the county had asked to be removed from consideration for the job before the finalist interviews.

County Administrator Craig Weinaug said Miles’ annual salary will be $75,000.