City Assessor

About the role

This position is responsible for oversight and management of the City’s property tax assessment functions, valuation of all real estate and personal property, property valuation appeals, and oversite of general reappraisals. In addition, this position is responsible for researching, entering and producing the City’s annual Grand List Book and Tax Book. The position is also responsible for all state Education Fund reporting and communicating changes in values to the state.

Responsibilities

Statutory and Technical

• Develop, maintain, and certify valuations of real estate and business personal property that serve as the basis for property tax assessments and payment-for-services agreements
• Compile official Grand List; maintain extensive records of ownership, value, and descriptions of property assessed.
• Produce annual value change notices on all property that changed in value.
• Act as Chair of Board of Assessors, including hearing and ruling on property valuation grievances, appeals, and claims for exemptions
• Report and testify before the Board of Tax Appeals, Board of Civil Authority and all other judicial hearings.
• Oversee administration of the Board of Tax Abatement and act as an active, voting member of the Board of Tax Abatement.
• Conduct narrative appraisal reports and CAMA property valuation appraisals of real residential property and real commercial property.
• Conduct narrative appraisal reports and CAMA property valuation appraisals of business personal property (machinery and equipment).
• Maintain property values for the City’s Tax Incentive Finance (TIF) District and Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP).

Management and Administration

• Manage the market data collection, processing, and review of real estate and business property, and set values for assessment purposes and issue notices.
• Establish policies on appraisal methodology; and assessment administration procedures for ongoing appraisal equity, and assessment of new buildings improvements, land valuation and/or other market changes.
• Oversee administration and operations of the Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) computer system for City.
• Manage department staff including hiring, supervision, assigning work, training, coaching, conducting performance evaluations, promotion, discipline, discharge, work rule establishment, and department morale.
• Lead all state communications and reporting with the Division of Property Valuation and Review (PVR) within the State of Vermont Department of Taxes.
• Head the preparation, implementation and management of a City-wide Reappraisal project and/or valuation updates. This could involve in-house valuations as well as hiring and managing valuation contractors for assistance.
• Create and maintain public records/grand list data, including property transfers and overall