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Consider options for the appointment of a regular member and an alternate member to the Solano County Assessment Appeals Board
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office recommends that the Board of Supervisors consider options for the appointment of a regular member and an alternate member to the Solano County Assessment Appeals Board (AAB). Staff recommends that this Board create an AAB Interview sub-committee and appoint two Board Members for the purpose of interviewing the potential candidates.
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, regular member John Conboy submitted his resignation due to retirement to the Clerk of the Board’s office, effective immediately. Upon advertisement of the vacancies, the Clerk of the Board’s office received two (2) applications expressing interest.
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 regular 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.
In the beginning of August 2024, the Assessment Appeals Board received two resignations, one regular member and one alternate member. At that time, the Board also currently had a vacancy for (1) one alternate member. The two resignations left the AAB with one (1) vacant regular member position and two vacant alternate member positions. Per the Maddy Act, the Clerk of the Board’s office posted vacancy notices for all positions and distributed a press release to the media to gain additional visibility for the vacancies. The Clerk of the Board’s office received two applications.
Staff is recommending that the Board create a sub-committee to interview the interested individuals and return to the full Board with a recommendation on the appointment of a regular member and alternate member.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board chooses not to form a sub-committee to conduct interviews, they may instead:
1. Choose to publicly conduct interviews with the applicants as part of a regularly scheduled Board meeting with a quorum of Board Members present. This is not recommended as it could disadvantage the first interviewee. Were the Board to choose this option, the interviews would take place on September 24, 2024.
2. Appoint the (2) applicants without conducting interviews. This is not recommended as interviews are expected to provide the Board with valuable insight into the qualifications of the applicants.
3. Appoint an individual who has not submitted a letter of interest. This is not recommended in order to adhere to the process outlined in the August 2024 vacancy announcement.
4. 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.
5. Choose not to appoint a member of the public to the AAB. This is not recommended as the Assessment Appeals Board meets monthly and requires a quorum of a minimum of 2 members present. Currently, the Appeals Board has only 2 sitting members and if one member is unable to attend the meeting the AAB would not have a quorum.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Clerk of the Board’s office worked with the County Administrator’s office to distribute a press release regarding the vacancies and with County Counsel to ensure both applicants meet the requirements of Revenue and Taxation Code section 1624 et. seq.