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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 04281998 - SD2 2- TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: PHIL BATCHELOR DATE: APRIL 28, 1998 SUBJECT: COMPENSATION FOR ASSESSMENT APPEAL BOARD MEMBERS SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION$I. 1. Adjust the compensation for members of the Assessment Appeals�Board to $200 for a half day and $300 for a full day and $400 for any consecutive meeting days. BACKORt7UNDfREASON(S) FOR RECQMMENDATION(S): On April .14, the Board of Supervisors referred a letter to the County Administrator from the Assessment Appeals Board requesting a higher compensation rate for members. The letter, which is attached, indicates that a higher compensation rate is necessary to fairly compensate members for time spent away from their businesses. Currently the Appeals Board Members receive $75 for a half day and $150 for a full day. The Appeals Board is composed of two lawyers, one CPA and two appraisers. The current compensation schedule was established in 1987, eleven years ago. �r CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR®RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON APPTI 2P, 1 9 9 R APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED_ —OTHER X IT i5 BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the above recommendation is APPROVED; and the Assessor is DIRECTED to submit a report to the Board in April , 1999, detailing actual costs and savings achieved. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS(ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES:_it I I L 1 NOES: I ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact:Torry Enos 335-1094 PHIELOR,DLEfkK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR cc:Assessor CAO County Counsel CAO -Clerk of the Board B �PUTY The proposed compensation change could cost the County approximately $14,000. This figure was calculated by compiling the meetings of the Assessment Appeals Board over the 1997 calendar year. There were 35 meetings, consisting of 25 half days and 10 full days, with three members attending each meeting. Other Counties A survey was conducted of similar counties to determine compensation levels. The results of the survey are listed below. County Half Full Marin $125 $250 Santa Clara N/A 200 San Mateo N/A 200 San Francisca 100 200 Contra Costa 75 150 Alameda 75 150 Sacramento 70 100 The Survey reveals that Contra Costa County is on the lower end of the compensation scale. Both Alameda and Sacramento Counties have not revised their compensation schedules for over ten years, Sacramento County will be revising their compensation rates in the near future. Workload The Assessor has reported the dramatic increase in the number and value of property tax appeals during the 1990's. Currently, business and industry are appealing approximately $3.5 billion in assessments with the potential loss of millions to various unit of local government. The Assessment Appeals Board will be facing a major industrial appeal which should require at least five days. These appeals are rare but are critical since $1.7 billion in property tax assessment are at issue. The most efficient and effective way to handle this appeal would be to conduct a hearing on consecutive days. A five day hearing provides for continuity and reduces redundant testimony. Moreover, County out of state consultant costs would be reduced by several thousand per trip since travel time and costs would be minimized. However, Appeal Board Members are reluctant to meet on a consecutive day basis because of the substantial sacrifice to their businesses over this five day period. The Assessment Appeals Board is unique in that its decisions have a direct and immediate impact on county revenues. The Board's workload has been growing over the years and Board Members will be challenged with a major appeal in the near future. The cost for increasing the compensation rate can be partially offset by reduced consultant cost on a major appeal. The current compensation rate is low compared to other similar counties. For the above reasons, it is recommended that the compensation rate be revised as proposed. a Contra SSiW4NT APP" IOMY ...rn....... V E i Costa ar St, c►6 .ftrpr+et J. Copef��awe� jaft�Cal� ": County �. � � � a ftal E. Sc3avvcpr J. Daniel Durlap (510) 335-1920 .Valter A. Wall-ce CI-ERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ow a++a tl(j jr y{ Mare 17, 1998 Honorable Chair Jinn Rogers and Supervisors Contra Costa County 651 Pine Street, Room 106 Martinez CA 94553 Dear Honorable Chair Rogers and Supervisors: This letter is to formally request a higher compensation rate for the Contra Costa County Assessment Appeals Board members. We would like to see the following changes: 1. $200.00 for hearings/meetings that conclude before 12.00 noon. 2. $300.00 for hearings/meetings that conclude after 12:00 noon. 3. $500.00 for any consecutive full day meetings/hearings. This would be retroactive to the first day of the consecutive meetings. The current pay scale of$75.00 half day and $150,00 full day has been in effect for many, many years and needs to be increased so that we can be fairly compensated for time spent away from our businesses./jobs. Your prompt consideration of this matter will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Paul Schwenger Chair Assessment Appea s Board Board Members: Dan Dunlap Gene Rounsaville Margaret Copenhaver Walter 'Wallace $3 ISWINI, T APPLAIS40AAD Contra .4dminij"ixan Suild mg Costa #lrrpret J. giver bA& SL, +c+m 1t County W 2 719 Pr I&tlit►tZ . 'i t. S ��e � Cltt�t#�It 9455394553 � teer J. Dw%i.el Durla p fS1G} 33x-19 0ARD OF 'Walter A. Wallace Qr^A*aNW*W .. March 17, 1998 Honorable Chair Jim Rogers and Supervisors Contra Costa County 651 Pine Street, Room 106 Martinez CA 94553 Dear Honorable Chair Rogers and Supervisors: This letter is to formally request a higher compensation rate for the Contra Costa County Assessment Appeals Board members, We would like to see the following changes: 1. $200.00 for hearings/meetings that conclude before 12:00 noon. 2. $300.00 for hearings/meetings that conclude after 12.00 noon. 3. $500.00 for any consecutive full day meetings/hearings. This would be retroactive to the first day of the consecutive meetings. The current pay scale of$75.00 half day and $150.00 full day has been in effect for many, many years and needs to be increased so that we can be fairly compensated for time spent away from our businesses/jobs. Your prompt consideration of this matter will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, </ L Paul Schwenger Chair Assessment Appea s Board Board Members: Dan Dunlap Gene Rounsaville Margaret Copnhaver Walter Wallace OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Administration Building 6151 Pine Street, 11th Floor - 174 Martinez DATE: May 4, 1998 CL Rr,:�0ARD OF CONTRA:SSA COSTA M TO. Gus framer, County A�psessor FROM: Claude L. Van Meru r < Stant County Administrator SUBJECT: REPORT TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGARDING PER DIEM FOR ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD MEMBERS Board Agenda Date: April 28, 1998 Agenda Item ##: SD.2 On April 28, 1998, the Board of Supervisors approved the report from the County Administrator on the subject of an increase in the per diem payments made to members of the Assessment Appeals Board. As a part of approving the increase as recommended, the Board asked for a report in one year which outlines the actual cost of the increases and outlines any savings which have resulted as a result of providing the increases. This report should be forwarded to the Board sometime in April 1999. CLV'M:amb Bs-0428.001 cc: Tony Enea, Senior Deputy County Administrator Jeanne Maglio, Chief Clerk, Board of Supervisors