COM 0024.001 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2011 Tax Board of Review Annual Report 5 8. The Board again appreciated the impromptu training sessions conducted by Corporation Counsel and the Assistant Tax Administrator. These sessions were probably more meaningful to the Members than the suggested half -day sessions recommended in the Board of Review's 2009 Annual Report. The Corporation Counsel did a great job in selecting issues that benefited the Board as well as instructing tax office staff in the preparation of material that was presented during the long breaks that became available between scheduled morning and afternoon hearings. These training sessions were meaningful to the Members as they could relate the issues to particular cases that were recently presented. 9. Newly hired appraisers were provided with the opportunity to sit in and observe several case hearings. Allowing the appraisers to observe will help the department review and re- evaluate items 5 and 7 above on a continuous basis. 10. The Board previously suggested that the Division provide a "pricing ladder" worksheet as a standard form in the Appeal Data Worksheet packet prepared by Appraisers. The Board recommends that the Appraisers provide, as part of their packet, the per square foot cost based on their system of the square foot living area and delineation between multiple floors. 11. The Board noted the need to revise or eliminate the non -spec residential program. 12. The annual schedule set by the Board of Review should be made a priority in the Real Property Tax Division's annual activity calendar to avoid conflicts as experienced in the past few years. 13. The Appraisers should strive for greater uniformity in assessments and appeal settlement agreements within neighborhoods. 14. The Board Members are aware that the public has a huge misperception of the motivations, goals and responsibilities of the Real Property Tax Division with regard to assessments and tax rates. The individuals interacting with the Board were seasoned professionals, working within well structured guidelines, making fair and reasoned valuations, etc. The Division should use all forms that are available to better inform the public of its roles and responsibilities. 15. The Board Members would like to thank the Assistant Tax Administrator, Michael McCall, for the great job he had done these past few years in scheduling and facilitating the appeal hearings.