(35) Assessor

The Assessor’s Office provides an annual assessment roll in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner resulting in fair and equitable treatment; and provides the highest level of customer service along with current assessment information to the public and government agencies.

• Assessment Roll Increase – We experienced an additional $727 million in assessed value for the 2019 assessment roll which represents an 8.5% increase from the prior year. Our total assessed value reached a new plateau exceeding $9.2 billion which will generate approximately $92 million in property taxes for local government agencies and schools.
• Prop 8 Assessments – Due to the changing real estate market, the Assessor’s Office focused efforts on properties that had received a temporary value reduction under Proposition 8 and reviewed over 1200 properties to determine the value of those properties as of January 1, 2019. As a result of this mandatory review, 200 properties were removed from Proposition 8 status and fully restored to the Proposition 13 assessed values. The majority of the remaining 1000 properties also experienced some upward value adjustment (partial restoration).
• Assessment Appeals – The Assessor’s Office staff has worked diligently to reduce the filing of assessment appeals through more taxpayer contact and detailed explanation of our assessed valuations. In 2019, there were a total of 17 assessment appeal applications out of approximately 23,700 (secured & unsecured) assessments which represents .07% (1/14 of 1%).

• Expand Office Space – The Assessor’s Office is in need of more office space for current and future needs. With increased staffing levels, the office space at the Assessor’s Office is very limited to accommodate new personnel.
• Rapid Development Growth – The office is concerned with the rapid growth in residential developments and keeping up with new construction assessments. We are working on alleviating the backlog of appraisal work. Our mapping department is moving forward with staying current on drawing and creating parcels from new subdivisions which will speed up the workflow distribution process allowing our appraisal staff to value those properties in a timely manner.
• Scanning and Cataloging of All Records – One of our objectives is scanning and cataloging of all our paper records. We have purchased scanners and have begun the process of digitizing our property records providing a much more effective way to store, retain, and locate our information which will improve office and appraisal efficiency.

• Continue to Expand Office – If the SSCAP Grant is extended, the goal would be to increase office space and grow the office personnel for future assessment needs.
• Succession Planning – Train existing staff to take on some of the management roles in the Assessor’s Office.
• Convert the Assessor’s AutoCAD parcel maps to a GIS format for the Assessor’s parcel maps which will provide all of our parcel maps in a digitized environment.