By F. Cindy Baire, Member, GAR Associates
Assessment departments are one of the most popular departments in a municipality. This department provides vital information to a variety of people, including property owners, real estate professionals and the general public.
I have worked with several assessors and have observed many techniques these leaders implement to create a friendly, transparent and service oriented environment.
Many professionals create public relations communication and outreach plans. Some aspects of these plans include routine meetings with senior citizen groups. These meetings provide useful information on the various exemptions available to property owners. Many of these exemptions experience changes to the programs and therefore keeping routine meetings with the senior groups helps keep property owners up to date and informed. This outreach also helps to build a trusting relationship with this group and makes the individuals feel they can approach the assessment office comfortably. Some assessors have even created a routine, “Coffee with Your Assessor.” These pop-up gatherings the opportunity for property owners to greet the assessor and or assessment staff in a casual setting and ask questions or gather information.
Some assessors submit articles to their local newspapers on various topics of interest to property owners. Topics include exemptions, sales transfer transactions, information available in the assessor’s office that is public, equalization rates, assessment legal annual important dates/calendar and other general assessment topics. Writing these articles consistently, such as quarterly, provides useful information to existing and new property owners in their community. This effort also aids in making the assessment office more approachable.
Assessors in certain municipalities have robust assessment information websites. Many include information on each property located in the community, sales transactions, resources available to property owners, searchable databases, and educational information. Many include forms to request a property inventory review, a challenge to a property assessment as well as other important forms. Some include web videos on various topics important to the assessment process. Check out your municipality website and find the assessor’s home page.
The more an assessor and assessment staff can reach out to the community and create a more open and transparent environment the more confidence and approachability is developed allowing property owners to feel comfortable with questions and concerns.
