City Council

Member of the Board of Assessors

Position Description for Member of Board of Assessors

The board of assessors is created by Charter §§ 120, 150 and has the following duties and authority:  

  • To have the duties of listers under state law;
  • To conduct the annual property valuation appeal hearings to establish fair appraised values for property in the City;
  • To serve as members of board for abatement of taxes;

Members of this board must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a legal voter of the City of Burlington;
  • No more than two-thirds of the members of this board shall be from the same political party.

Members of this board (except the City Assessor) will be appointed for a three-year term, beginning on the first day of April.

According to Charter § 87, property valuation appeal hearings are held before May 25th, typically for three consecutive days in the third week of May.  Tax abatement hearings may occur throughout the year.

In addition, members of this board will be expected to:

  • Attend all scheduled meetings, or if a meeting must be missed, let the chairperson know ahead of the meeting if they will not be able to attend;
  • Review any materials provided to the board ahead of time;
  • Notify the chairperson and/or the city staff person assigned to the board of any accommodation for a disability that may be required in order for the person to serve;
  • Act from a spirit of cooperation and with respect towards other board members, staff members, and members of the public appearing before the board;
  • Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest or bias;
  • When deciding a controversy or responding to a request, conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner;
  • Comply with all aspects of the Vermont Open Meeting and Access to Public Records laws;
  • Consider fairly the interests of all individuals and organizations whose interests may be affected by their actions as a city official.