After three decades, Orange County tax assessor set to retire

Concluding more than three decades of service to the citizens of Orange County, Tax Assessor-Collector Karen Fisher has announced her retirement, effective July 31. Fisher, making an announcement at the June 11 meeting of the Orange City Council, expressed her gratitude to the community and introduced her replacement to the municipal staff and community visitors. 

“It has been an honor working for y’all,” Fisher said before introducing her successor, Octavia Guzman. 

Guzman is no stranger to the tax office, having worked alongside Fisher within the tax office for the past 12 years as tax supervisor. Knowing Guzman’s work ethic well, Fisher has high confidence in the new leader’s abilities as she takes over beginning Aug. 1. 

“I think she will do a great job,” Fisher said. “She deserves this position and is a great employee. She knows her job and she will learn this one. She has the knowledge to make her job easier when she takes my office.” 

Mayor Larry Spears Jr. praised Fisher for her exceptional service, wishing her well in retirement. 

“Thank you for your service, Mrs. Fisher. Those numbers have always been on point, and nobody’s went to jail,” Spears joked, eliciting laughter from the council members. 

As Fisher looks forward to retirement, she revealed that the first thing on her agenda is to turn off the alarm clocks. She and her husband, Joe, also have several cruises planned to celebrate time together off the timeclock. When not country-hopping on cruise ships, the Fishers plan to spend extra time with their grandchildren, both local and outof-state, she said. 

“Just put me on a plane or a boat, because I don’t want to have to drive anywhere,” Fisher laughed. 

Before serving as the tax assessorcollector, Fisher spent 24 years as the office supervisor in the Vidor tax office.