Thank you for taking an interest in serving on this commission and serving our community. A description of the Board of Assessors is below.
Function
The Board of Assessors (BOA) is comprised of the City Assessor (Chair) and two Members, all whom reside in Burlington. The main function of the BOA is to attend the annual property valuation appeal hearings. The appeal hearings are an essential function for establishing a fair assessed value. Information provided from a taxpayer at the Property Appeal Hearings will assist the Board of Assessors in determining a fair assessed value. The Board has the responsibility to establish fair values for all taxable property. It is not a requirement for you to be an expert in real estate valuation to be on the board. We are looking for Burlington residents with good reasoning skills and a desire to help the community.
Duties
The duty of the Board of Assessors (BOA) is to make valuation decisions from evidence obtained at the property appeal hearings and to listen to testimony from the aggrieved property owner. After testimony has been taken, the board reviews information that has been submitted as evidence. The BOA may ask the taxpayers questions for clarification of the evidence submitted.
When there is a discrepancy between the taxpayer's information and the Assessor's data, then the Board of Assessors may visit the property. If an error is found, the City Assessor will correct the factual errors, such as: lot size, gross living area, finished living area, bathroom count, and outbuildings.
The next step in the appeal process is to have the Board of Assessors deliberate the property under review. Deliberations are conducted in the absence of taxpayers after testimony has been given. The Appeal Hearings are only to gather information from the property owner. Assessed value is never determined at the time of the appeal.
Having Burlington residents on the BOA helps ensure that the appeal process is conducted in a proper and professional manner.
Commitment of Time
Section 87 of the City Charter indicates that property valuation appeal hearings are held before May 25th of each year. The appeal hearings are typically held for three or four consecutive days in the third week of May. A commitment of additional time is necessary during a reappraisal year. Ask the City Assessor about the reappraisal year commitment.
I would like to encourage anyone interested in serving on the Board of Assessors to visit the Assessor's Office. We would be happy to give a more detailed explanation of the role of the Board of Assessors to anyone interested. Our office can be reached at (802) 865-7114 or by fax at (802) 865-7116. Additional information regarding the City Assessor's office and the property appeal process can be viewed at our web site.
Contact the Clerk/Treasurer's Office to obtain an application for the Board of Assessors. The City Clerk/Treasurer's Office phone number is (802) 865-7000.
Sincerely,
John Vickery
City Assessor