2014-167-Minutes for Meeting March 13,2014 Recorded 3/18/2014 NDESHTES COUNTY ANCYUBLAN ENSHIP,fCOUNTY CLERK
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COMMISSIONERS' JOURNAL 03/1812014 08'38'46 AM
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Board of Property Tax Appeals
Exit Meeting for 2013-2014 Session
March 13, 2014 at 9:00 am
Clerk's Office, Deschutes County Service Building
Present at meeting:
Mara Stein - Board Member
Chase Osborne - Board Member
Vicki Schuetze - Board Member
Susie Helfer— Board Member
Tom Bourdage — Board Member
Jo Zucker— Board Member
Dennis Luke — Board Member
Theresa Maul — Deschutes County Chief Appraiser
Nancy Blankenship — Deschutes County Clerk
Beckey Nelson - Deschutes County Bopta Clerk
1. The board liked having the assessor's representatives present for their
assigned appraisal area. Standardized information from the assessor's
representatives would be helpful. It has gotten better over time, however
the order of information depending on the representative is still different.
The commercial appraiser representatives also need to standardize their
information. Verbal information needs to be substantiated with written
data.
2. The board would also like the assessor's office information at the same
time they get the petitioner information in the morning shortly after 8 am.
They felt they would be better prepared during the hearing if they were
able to review all information ahead of time.
3. Burden of proof seems to be a struggle each year. The board felt it is their
responsibility to determine whether or not the appellant met the burden of
proof, not the assessor's office. There was discussion on the board being
able to have the assessor information if the appellant did not meet burden
of proof. The assessor's office felt they should not be required to give
their information if it is determined that the appellant has not met their
obligation. The board felt they were better able to explain to the appellant
about the use of data for their decision. The aspect of public relations
should not outweigh public education. The board uses the information as
a training tool for the appellant as to what is required for the board to
make a decision within the scope of the law.
Page 2 of 2 - BOPTA - March 13, 2014 Minutes
4. A new flyer will be prepared on what the board is able to consider as
evidence to make their decision. This flyer will include hearing
procedures. It will be mailed with the hearing notices and flyer on
submitting additional evidence. Once it is prepared, it will be emailed to
the board members for review.
5. The assessor's representatives did not like providing graph-it to the board
with their other information. They felt in certain circumstances it was used
against them in reduction decisions made by the board.
6. Mara is going to rewrite the board hearing script. There was discussion by
the board not liking the part concerning disrespect and consequences.
The language will be added to either the hearing notices or flier that
accompanies the hearing notices. It will also be posted in the hearings
room for referral if someone gets out of hand.
7. A couple of the board members made a request for either iPad or laptops
instead of paper. We may try one in the hearings room next year as a
trial.
8. The board chair needs to maintain order regarding discussions between
appellant and assessor representative. All questions should be asked
through the board chair. Answers should be given at the request of the
board chair.
9. At the training meeting next year, there needs to be a discussion
concerning the providing of evidence by the assessor's office ahead of the
hearing. Also, the manor of questioning of the appraisers work. How do
we keep all parties from becoming defensive? The fact that the process is
and should only be personal for the appellant as they are the party who
will lose or gain from any decision of the board. If they leave with only an
education as to the process, the board has accomplished their job. We
must consider that all parties present are professionals and while there is
validity to question or understand the data presented, it needs to be done
in a professional, respectful manner.
Prepared by Beckey Nelson