In this episode, Ron Dean, Muscogee County Assessor, discusses his role and responsibilities, including overseeing the valuation of 49,000 real properties and all business personal property in a county of 69,000 residents. His team of 14 conducts visual inspections every four years on 13,000 parcels annually, with additional inspections for changes or deed transfers. They aim to reflect market values by February and mail notices to property owners. Dean emphasizes the importance of accurate valuation methods, such as sales data for residential properties and cost approaches for commercial properties. He also highlights the challenges of business personal property reporting and the benefits of early tax statement mailing, which Muscogee County has achieved for the past six years.

We cover:

• Introduction and Background (0:01)
• Current Challenges and Opportunities (1:20)
• Field Work and Team Dynamics (5:41)
• Valuation Methodologies and Market Data (9:00)
• Business Personal Property and Legislative Changes (12:30)
• Energy and Mineral Extraction (15:33)
• Coordination and Budget Processes (19:53)
• New Technology and Public Engagement (23:30)
• Support from County Commissioners (27:00)
• Advice for New Assessors (29:39)
• Leadership and Association Involvement (31:34)
• Final Thoughts and Future Goals (35:14)

In this episode, Joe McClour, the assessor of Atoka County since 2018, discusses his transition from GIS mapping to the assessor's office, highlighting challenges like retraining a new staff and adapting to software changes. He emphasizes the importance of hiring smart, team-oriented individuals and the necessity of careful hiring to minimize retraining and firing. McClour detailed the evolution of digital mapping in his office, noting a significant increase in public demand for accessible property data. He also addressed the impact of new developments, such as a $35 million crypto mining facility, on local tax rolls. Additionally, McClour expressed a passion for helping disabled veterans and the need for more affordable housing.

We cover:

• Introduction and Background of Joe McClour (0:02)
• Hiring and Training Challenges (2:27)
• Transition to Digital Mapping (4:30)

• Role of the Oklahoma Assessors Association (10:20)
• Public Perception and Veteran Exemptions (14:54)
• Impact of Crypto Mining and Market Trends (15:45)
• Election Experience and Public Notices (17:27)
• Affordable Housing and Market Dynamics (23:37)
• Final Thoughts and Future Plans (28:44)

In this episode, Mike Twitty, a former commercial appraiser, discusses his transition to becoming a Property Appraiser in Florida, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology for efficiency. His county, the second smallest in land mass but sixth in population density, faces unique challenges, including high property density and diverse development. Twitty highlights the impact of new condominium inspection laws and the need for transparency in flood insurance policies. He also addresses the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff post-COVID, noting a 6% turnover rate after salary adjustments. Twitty advocates for appraisers to consider public office for broader community impact.

We cover:

• Introduction and Background of Mike Twitty 0:01
• Transition to Public Sector and Technology Integration 2:16
• Unique Features of Mike's County 3:40
• Challenges and Efficiencies in Managing Multiple Offices 6:11
• Recruiting and Retention Challenges Post-COVID 7:41
• Impact of Legislation on Property Values 10:58
• Flood Insurance and Policy Changes 16:09
• Affordability and Housing Market Dynamics 22:41
• Transition to Public Office and Campaign Experience 26:26
• Advice for Fee Appraisers Considering Public Office 30:54

In this episode, Louis Fitz Morris, Assessor of St. Tammany Parish, and Michael McNeil, Technology Director, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on remote work, the importance of data quality, and the adoption of AI and GIS technology. They highlight the creation of a digital map of the parish, which includes 135,000 parcels, and the challenges of retaining institutional knowledge. They also address the stable property market despite high interest rates and the need for affordable housing. The conversation emphasizes the value of a supportive work environment and continuous education for employee retention.

We cover:

• Introduction and Participant Backgrounds 0:01
• Transition from Mayor to Assessor 1:54
• Impact of COVID-19 on Office Operations 3:23
• Remote Work and Hybrid Policies 5:00
• Recruiting and Retaining Talent 6:06
• Development of GIS and Public Transparency 11:43
• Challenges and Successes in GIS Development 14:52
• Future Projects and Technology Adoption 19:25
• Customer Service and Technology Integration 19:54
• Continuing Education and Employee Development 23:11
• Retaining Institutional Knowledge 25:23
• Real Estate Market and Property Values 32:06
• Impact of Hurricanes and Insurance Issues 38:49
• Final Thoughts and Advice for New Assessors 45:23

In this episode, John Smith, Deputy Chief Appraiser in Hall County, Georgia, discusses his journey into the appraisal industry, starting in 2014, and his passion for technology, particularly Power BI for analytics and dashboard creation. He highlights the cyclical nature of the real estate market, noting a recent recovery post-pandemic. John's jurisdiction, mainly residential, has 84,000 parcels, with 73,000 being residential. He emphasizes the importance of technology, customer service, and effective communication in the appraisal field. Recruiting challenges are mentioned, with a focus on competing with the private sector for talent.

We cover:

• Introduction and Background 0:01
• John's Career Journey 1:47
• Jurisdiction and Market Trends 4:03
• Technological Tools and Innovations 5:26
• Recruiting and Training Challenges 8:46
• Customer Service and Communication Skills 15:44
• Final Thoughts and Contact Information 19:26

In this episode, Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor, discusses his role and initiatives since 2014. He highlights the department's large scale, with 1,400 employees and a $250 million budget, and the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff, especially with the impact of COVID-19. Prang details new recruitment strategies, including partnerships with community colleges to train appraisers and other staff. He also emphasizes the importance of technology, mentioning a $120 million investment in a new Oracle system to replace outdated mainframe technology. Prang also discusses the impact of Proposition 13 and Proposition 19 on property taxation and equity issues, particularly in African American and Latino communities.

We cover:

• Introduction and Jeff Prang's Role as LA County Assessor 0:01
• Journey to Become LA County Assessor 2:35
• Challenges and Strategies in Recruiting and Retaining Staff 4:40
• Innovative Recruitment Programs and Virtual Training 8:49
• Community College Partnerships and Government Recruitment 13:16
• Technology Upgrades and Procurement Challenges 18:01
• Public Education and Outreach 33:16
• Data Analysis and Equity in Property Values 35:09
• Proposition 13 and Its Impact on Property Taxes 37:26
• Future Directions and Career Advice 39:33

In this episode, Stephen White, Director of Cobb County Board of Assessors, discusses the evolution of technology in property tax assessment over 25 years. He highlights the shift to remote work, which has increased productivity by 50%. Stephen emphasizes the use of tablets and AI for fieldwork, reducing time-consuming tasks from weeks to hours. He addresses safety concerns, noting an increase in anti-government sentiments leading to threats against assessors. White also discusses leveraging AI for valuation estimates, condition assessment from MLS photos, and policy lookup. He stresses the importance of public speaking, humility, and prompt customer service in management.

We cover:

• Introduction and Stephen White's Background 0:01
• Technological Shifts in the Property Assessment Industry 2:32
• Safety Concerns and Best Practices 5:06
• Applications of AI and Large Language Models 11:22
• Best Practices in Management and Customer Service 17:53
• Advice for New Employees and Final Thoughts 26:49

In this episode, Stewart Oliver, Chief Appraiser of Gwinnett County since January 2017, discusses his career transition from private appraisal to public service. He emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making and the challenges of managing a large county with extensive data. Stewart highlights the rise of tax representatives and the need for public education. He stresses the significance of delegation and triage in prioritizing tasks, especially with a high volume of appeals (19,000-21,000 annually). He also notes the evolution of technology, including smart systems and change detection, to enhance efficiency and accuracy in appraisal and assessment administration.

We cover:

• Introduction and Stewart Oliver's Background 0:01
• Transition from Private Practice to Public Sector 2:53
• Challenges and Responsibilities in Assessment Administration 7:26
• Prioritization and Delegation in Assessment Administration 13:35
• Impact of Tax Representatives and Public Education 15:47
• Future of the Industry and Technology Integration 22:07
• Advice for New Professionals in the Field 27:12
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts 28:53