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Approve the appointment of Alesia Thomas to serve as a primary member and James Du Charme and Douglas Beaumont to serve as alternate members of the Solano County Assessment Appeals Board to fill unexpired terms through September 1, 2025
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Clerk of the Board’s office recommends the Board the appointment of Alesia Thomas to serve as a primary member and James Du Charme and Douglas Beaumont to serve as alternate members of the Solano County Assessment Appeals Board to fill unexpired terms through September 1, 2025.
SUMMARY
On August 5, 2024, alternate member Samuel Benson submitted his resignation to the Clerk of the Board’s office, effective immediately. On August 8, 2024, primary member John Conboy submitted his resignation due to retirement to the Clerk of the Board’s office, effective immediately. On September 10, 2024, the Board appointed Supervisor Brown and Supervisor Williams to the AAB interview sub-committee for the purpose of interviewing the potential candidates and to make a recommendation to the Board for appointment.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
As approved by the Board of Supervisors on March 23, 2004, members of the Assessment Appeals Board are eligible for compensation of $100 per half day or $200 for a full day. If a hearing runs consecutive days due to a complex assessment appeals, members receive $400 per day. In addition, members receive $25 per hour for document review and preparation time for assessment appeal cases. Assessment Appeals Board stipends are budgeted in the Clerk of the Board Division within the County Administrator’s Office departmental budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Solano County Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) was created in January 1992 by County Ordinance 1412. The AAB is charged to hear all matters pending before the Solano County Board of Equalization. The AAB consists of five members (three primary AAB members and two alternates). Per Revenue and Taxation Code section 1624 et. seq., AAB members are to have a minimum of five years of professional experience in California as a certified public accountant, a licensed real estate broker, an attorney, or a property appraiser. Serving on the AAB requires reviewing monthly agenda items and dedicating approximately half a day per month to the County to hear appeals on residential and commercial property. The term of office of members appointed to the AAB is for three years beginning on the first Monday in the month of September.
Per the Maddy Act, the Clerk of the Board’s office posted vacancy notices for both the primary and alternate board member positions.
With the resignations of one primary member and both alternate members, the AAB currently only has two primary members. At least one additional primary member is needed for a full Board and filling the two alternate positions ensures that if a primary member is unable to attend a meeting, the County still has qualified individuals to serve in their place. County staff advertised the vacancies and received several applications from individuals interested in serving on the board. On September 18, 2024, the AAB interview sub-committee met and interviewed three applicants. The AAB interview subcommittee is recommending the following appointments:
Appoint Alesia Thomas as a primary member to the AAB. Ms. Thomas is a real estate broker for Premier Properties has been a licensed real estate broker for 20 years and meets the qualifications of Revenue and Taxation Code Section 1624 et. seq. Ms. Thomas has been serving as a member of the City of Fairfield Community Development Block Grant Committee for the last 3 years and therefore has a working knowledge of the legislative process.
Appoint James Du Charme as an alternate member to the AAB. Mr. Du Charme has been a licensed attorney for over 50 years and has served as an attorney fee arbitrator for over 30 years. Mr. Du Charme meets the qualifications of Revenue and Taxation Code Section 1624 et. seq.
Appoint Douglas Beaumont as an alternate member to the AAB. Mr. Beaumont has 8 years of experience as a real estate appraiser. Mr. Beaumont meets the qualifications of Revenue and Taxation Code Section 1624 et. seq. Mr. Beaumont has been serving on the City of Vacaville’s Planning Commission since 2018 and therefore has a working knowledge of the legislative process.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board chooses not to appoint the applicants as recommended, they may instead:
1. Appoint any one of the 3 applicants to different board positions. This action is not recommended as interviews were held at the request of the Board and the AAB interview sub-committee has recommended the above appointment placements based on those interviews.
2. Not appoint any of the applicants as the AAB. This is not recommended as the AAB meets monthly and requires a quorum of a minimum of 2 members present. Currently, the AAB has only 2 sitting members and if one member is unable to attend the meeting the AAB would not have a quorum.
3. Extend the application deadline to solicit additional applications. This is not recommended as there is no indication that this would generate more applications and it would delay the appointment.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION