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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05242011 - SD.3RECOMMENDATION(S): A. OPEN the public hearing, RECEIVE testimony, and CLOSE the hearing. B. ADOPT Ordinance No. 2011-12, which would establish a $40 fee for filing and processing an application for changed assessment. FISCAL IMPACT: A fee of $40 per application will allow the recovery of reasonable costs incurred by the Assessment Appeals Clerk in providing services associated with the filing and processing of an application for changed assessment. The fee will result in an estimated $120,000 in revenue for fiscal year 2011/2012. BACKGROUND: The Assessment Appeals Board in Contra Costa County was created in 1973. The Assessment Appeals Board Clerk performs administrative duties and staffing for the Assessment Appeals Board. Currently, there is no charge for the Clerk’s services associated with the filing and processing of assessment appeal applications. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 05/24/2011 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Jeannie Rounsaville, (925) 335-1900 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: May 24, 2011 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: SD.3 To:Board of Supervisors From:David Twa, County Administrator Date:May 24, 2011 Contra Costa County Subject:Assessment Appeal Application Fee BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) A report recommending establishment of an Assessment Appeals Application fee was heard before the Finance Committee on March 7, 2011. The Finance Committee directed staff to begin the approval process through the Board of Supervisors and the State Department of Equalization. Several counties have adopted filing/processing fees for applications for changed assessments to recover the administrative costs associated with filing and processing applications for changed assessments. The Clerk’s Office has reviewed other counties’ practices in this area and found that 22 of 58 counties currently charge application fees. The fees range from $26.75 to $60.00 with the average being $36.00 (see attached chart). The Clerk’s Office has determined that a fee of $40 for filing and processing an application for changed assessment will allow the office to recover the reasonable costs of the Clerk’s services associated with the filing and processing of assessment appeal applications. A table showing the fee calculations is attached. The Clerk’s Office anticipates that approximately 3,000 applications will be filed in the 2011 filing year (July 2nd through November 30th). The approval of a $40 per application filing and processing fee will result in an estimated $120,000 in revenue for fiscal year 2011/2012. A separate application must be filed for each parcel. If the $40 fee is approved, the application for changed assessment form will be modified to reflect the fee and will be sent to the State Board of Equalization for approval of the form. A fee for filing and processing an application for changed assessment is authorized by Section 16 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, which requires county board of supervisors to furnish clerical and other assistance for assessment appeals boards and confers authority on county boards of supervisors to adopt rules of notice and procedures to facilitate the work of assessment appeals boards. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: The County will not be able to afford a dedicated assessment appeals clerk making it difficult to process assessment appeals in a timely manner. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: None. CLERK'S ADDENDUM Speaker: Kris Hunt, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, expressed concern that the proposed fee is non-refundable. CLOSED the public hearing; and ADOPTED Ordinance No. 2011-12, which establishes a $40 application filing for to process an application for changed assessment: and DIRECTED staff to include this fee in the list of fees which are regularly reviewed by the Finance Committee. ATTACHMENTS Ordinance No. 2011-12 Application Fee Justification County Assessment Appeals Fee Comparison