HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02021988 - 1.5 (2) 1-050
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
February 2 , 1988 b the following vote:
Adopted this Order on y g
AYES: Supervisors Powers , Fanden, McPeak , Torlakson, Schroder .
NOES: None .
ABSENT: None .
ABSTAIN: None .
SUBJECT: CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR 1985-86 TOSCO APPEAL
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the County Assessor to execute an agreement on behalf of Contra Costa
County with Arthur D. Little Valuation, Inc. for expert appraisal services
related to assessment appeals filed by Tosco Corporation for 1985-1986.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimated financial impact of this agreement is $100,000. Estimated costs
are associated with expert appraisal services, travel expenses, testimony, mat-
erials and supplies to be provided by Arthur D. Li.ttle„Valuation, Inc.
BACKGROUND
Contra Costa County is in the process of preparing for its second assessment
appeal filed by Tosco Corporation. The first appeal dealt with a disagreement
between Tosco and the County as to the 1984-1985. value of the Tosco refinery and
related properties. The County employed the services of a petroleum specialist
and several expert witnesses, whose services included making an appraisal of the
Tosco assets and presenting testimony at the hearings. Costs for services pro-
vided by the experts approximated $120,000. As a result of several months of
hearings, the Assessment Appeals Board ruled in favor of the County. Findings
on the appeal prepared by Deputy County Counsel , Dennis Graves, were adopted by
the Board verbatim. Tax dollars at stake in this hearing were approximately
$2,000,000 per year.
The current appeal deals with a disagreement between-:Tosco and the County regard-
ing the 1985-1.986 value of the Tosco refinery and related properties. To prepare
for the hearings, the County requires the services of a. consultant with special
expertise to perform the appraisals and related work regarding the assessment
appeals for such properties. The Assessor and the County Counsel advise that
Arthur D. Little Valuation, Inc. possesses the requisite appra'i.sal,. expertise and
recommend that the requested contract agreement be authorized and approved.
CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION
Should the Board of Supervisors choose not to authorize execution of the agree-
ment, it is probable that the County would lose the appeal . Tax dollars at
stake due to this appeal are approximately $2,000,000 per year. An additional
ramification of losing this appeal may be that other oil refineries might be
encouraged to file appeals, following the example of Tosco Corporation.
1 hereby certify that this is-a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Superv!1prs on the date shown.
ATTESTED: 98
Orig. Dept.: Assessor PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk cWthe Board
cc: County Counsel of Supervisors and County Administrator
County Administrator
Arthur D. Little Valuation, Inc.
By Deputy