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DocuSign Envelope ID:B2DOC3EF-E687-4AA6-93CF-D16200518BC6 2021 Tax Board of Review Annual Report Comments and Recommendations Administrative Matters 1. Potential appointees should be apprised of the time commitment serving on this Board demands before their names are submitted to the County Council for confirmation hearings. All members are expected to attend all meetings. Meetings in Hilo or Kona occur from July through December with two nights away from home or the office. 2. The Board recommends that additional one-on-one training continue to be provided by the Real Property Tax division and Corporation Counsel for newly appointed members. This training session should include basic information on programs, appeal procedures and the specifications of their role as a member. 3. The Board recommends that they are accompanied by both Corporation Counsel and the Board Clerk to all conferences, workshops, meetings, and other related matters. 4. The Board recommends continued funding to allow the Board and support staff to attend the statewide conference (when available) as it provides multiple benefits to all participants. 5. The Board appreciates the impromptu training sessions conducted by Corporation Counsel and the Real Property Tax division. These sessions provided the Board with information and insight on various issues, topics, programs, etc. and recommends that these training sessions continue to be offered. 6. The Board recommends that the County continue to provide outreach interaction to the public to dispel the misconception that the Real Property Tax division sets the tax rates. 7. The Board recommends that the public is continuously informed on the various programs and exemptions Real Property Tax has to offer, e.g., Short-Term Vacation Rental, Agricultural Use Benefit programs. One suggestion is to provide more avenues where information can be obtained/provided so that taxpayers can educate themselves. 8. The Board appreciates the effort by the administrative and appraisal staff in settling 70% of the appeals that were filed which reduced the hearing time of each scheduled day. However, the Board recommends improvement when booking the hearing dates with active cases. One suggestion is to book the mornings with active cases and the settlements and withdrawal are reviewed/approved in the afternoon. In addition to that, to perhaps stagger the hearing times in the morning so that the waiting time for the appellants is minimized. 9. The Board appreciates the inclusion of the settlement agreement letters between the County and the appellant in the board packets. However, the Board recommends that the settlement letters include more details on the reason for the adjusted value to assist the Board in fully understanding the circumstances of the settlement. Hativai`i County is an Equal Opportunitv Provider and Employer 3