Tax Office Prepares For A Timely 2006 Tax Digest
Lynn Bentley, in her first official presentation as Deputy Chief Appraiser, provided the Board of Tax Assessors a detailed status report last Thursday on many facets of the Tax Maintenance Office.
With the recent dismissal of personal property appraiser Andrea Appling, one of the deputy chief appraiser’s many priorities is to determine where the office stands in regard to a personal property digest.
From a review of the former employee’s office, Mrs. Bentley reported that Freeport returns had not been mailed and that aircraft returns have been filed with some already returned.
The deputy chief appraiser also found some marine returns that were in question. To that end Mrs. Bentley said it had been confirmed by state department representative Grant Hilton that a problem had occurred while transferring the Dept. of Natural Resources information needed for the boat digest.
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In relation to conservation use (CU) applications, a review of the former chief appraiser’s office led to the discovery of approximately 55 CU applications that Mrs. Bentley was unclear about. Chairman James Harrell agreed to review those applications for clarification with Mrs. Bentley.
Currently, 80 new CU applications had been received along with one renewal in its ninth year. Also assessors scheduled appeal hearings, to be conducted at the next meeting, for three applicants previously denied.
Mrs. Bentley also reported that the land schedules needed revamping and that the process could be handled internally with some outside consultation. She said that the TAS consulting rate is $500 per day and that outside assistance shouldn’t be needed beyond two weeks.
Chairman Harrell said that the assessors board had some remaining time on their contract with TAS for consultation. He didn’t know how much time was left but that it should be recorded in the minutes.
In perhaps the most important part of the office update, Mrs. Bentley provided assessors a timeline for a timely tax digest with a May 15 target date for the mailing of assessment notices.
“I’m going to do everything I can to make sure we’re ready,” said the deputy chief appraiser.
The goals outlined for a timely digest included:
•Data entry of approximately 50 sales by February 28.
•Settling 35 outstanding appeals from 2005 and 10 from 2004 by February 28 with necessary hearings held no later than April 21.
•Completion of new construction review by early May.
•Completion of sales analysis by mid-May.
•Review of personal property information and data entry.
Mrs. Bentley said that the office was on track to meet that goal and that she did not want to send notices any later than June 1. That scenario would allow 45 days for the appeals process with notices sent by October 1, provided the budget is available by that time.
Other details the deputy chief appraiser will tend to is advertising for homestead exemptions and the posting of available exemptions in the tax office in addition to assembling a portable information pamphlet for the office.
While Mrs. Bentley took the lead at last week’s meeting, assessors did take action to make an addendum to the January 18 minutes. At that time, chief appraiser Brac Bohannon had reported that the personal property digest had been completed and mailed. On the contrary, Chairman Harrell reported that it had not.
Assessors also voted to give Cheri Phipps-Shaw $100 per month in merit pay as the board secretary.
Following Mrs. Bentley’s report on the office, the assessors held a brainstorming session in an effort to align staff with office duties. Chairman Harrell said that he envisioned having no more than six employees in the office and pondered as to how the office will operate going from seven to five employees.
Mr. Harrell said that no applications for the chief appraiser’s position had been received as of the meeting date. He didn’t think that position would be filled for a while with at least 11 vacant chief appraiser positions available throughout the state. The chairman also said that the board was looking to groom its own chief appraiser.
During a review of each employee’s current duties, the assessors and deputy chief appraiser contemplated the realignment of office duties. Particular discussion was given to assigning the personal property duties to a current employee instead of hiring new personnel.
Chairman Harrell said that the board was “not looking to make anybody mad” in their effort to make the office more efficient. He plans to visit with each employee one-on-one to discuss the issue and acquire feedback.
With regard to the personnel policy, the deputy chief appraiser was instructed to have each office employee sign off on their understanding of the policy with issues to be addressed to their supervisor.