1 Assessment Practices Review Panel 2011 St. Louis County August 31, 2011 – Commissioner’s Conference Room, Duluth

County Assessor Goals: Customer serviceCustomer service Comply with State standardsComply with State standards Efficient and productive staffEfficient and productive staff Accurate assessmentsAccurate assessments Leverage technological toolsLeverage technological tools FAIRNESS - EQUALIZATIONFAIRNESS - EQUALIZATION

Technology Assessor technological tools:Assessor technological tools: –MCIS –GIS –Document management –Mobile devices –Land records portal

MCIS Property Tax systemProperty Tax system –Used by Assessor and Auditor

MCIS 13 county consortium13 county consortium St. Louis County joined in 1998St. Louis County joined in 1998 CAMA (Computer-aided Mass Appraisal) system used by the AssessorCAMA (Computer-aided Mass Appraisal) system used by the Assessor

MCIS CAMA systemCAMA system –Separate modules used to value land and improvements –Mass appraisal system –Valuation schedules are based on assessor sales studies –Schedules are constructed using reasonable units of comparison –Assessor populates data for each parcel

MCIS ReportingReporting –System creates state-mandated reports –Querying capability –Error checking and data validation

MCIS BenefitsBenefits –Consistent, efficient, predictable assessments –Integration with property tax module –Programming tax law changes –Data manipulation –Continuity with other counties in region –Quality-control –Local assessor data available for County Board of Appeal and Equalization NegativesNegatives –Dated interface –Complexity

GIS Benefits to the assessor:Benefits to the assessor: –Data accuracy Improved assessment quality, consistencyImproved assessment quality, consistency –Planimetrics Building sketches incorporated into GISBuilding sketches incorporated into GIS –Assessor-specific services: Land gradingLand grading Mining and minerals assessmentMining and minerals assessment Agricultural classificationAgricultural classification

Document management Electronic documentsElectronic documents –Conversion of internal forms Conversion of paper recordsConversion of paper records –Assessor documents being scanned and indexed –Accessible via land records portal –Readily accessible –Less paper/printing costs –Less space needed for storage e-CRVe-CRV –Digital CRV being developed by Dept of Revenue –Being utilized already in other counties

Mobile devices IPad developmentIPad development –Use of live MCIS for assessor field work –Efficiency gained by elimination of data entry step

Land Records Portal All County land information available in one placeAll County land information available in one place Improved public access to County informationImproved public access to County information

Looking ahead… Further integration of CAMA, GISFurther integration of CAMA, GIS Data transparencyData transparency Technological tools will allow assessors to be more productiveTechnological tools will allow assessors to be more productive Need for well-trained, efficient personnel capable of using technology to its fullest potentialNeed for well-trained, efficient personnel capable of using technology to its fullest potential