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'�. DEPARTMEHT <br />� OF N€VENUE <br />Explanations of alternative methods of appeal <br />Open Book Meetings <br />Role of the board i n the assessment process <br />Traditionally, open book meetings have been scheduled forjurisdictions in which the Local Board ofAppeal and Equalization <br />duties have been transferred to the county. <br />During "open book" meetings, thevaluation and classification <br />issues are handled by the assessor's staff on a one-on-one basis <br />with the property owner. <br />Typically, open book meetings are held by the county assessor's <br />staff. However, larger cities with an appointed city assessor may <br />hold their own open book meetings. <br />The open book meetings are held in locations that are <br />convenient for property owners. Often open book meetings are <br />held over several days during both day and evening hours. This <br />An open book meeting is a meeting held by the <br />county assessor's office to discuss property <br />owners' questions regarding their assessments. <br />The one-on- one meeting usually is held as an <br />alternative to the Local Board ofAppeal and <br />Equalization. <br />allows properry owners to appeal when it best suits their schedules instead of having to rearrange their schedules to attend <br />a meeting held at one place and time. <br />The open book meetings provide a forum for property owners to meet with assessment staff on an informal basis to review <br />information about their property and to ask questions about the assessment. This setting al lows the assessor's office to <br />resolve questions and reduce the number of appeals to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization (or the Special Board of <br />Equalization). <br />Property owners do not need to make an appointment to meet with the assessment staff. They can simply show up at <br />the dates and times stated on the Notice of Valuation and Classification to discuss their assessment. <br />Depending on the jurisdiction, the appraisers may have laptop computers to access information about the taxpayer's <br />property. Some counties may be able to link directly to their computer-assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) system which <br />allows the appraiser to obtain data on sales of comparable properties. <br />When reviewi ng the details of the property with the owner, the appraiser can verify the accuracy of the count�s data <br />and correct any errors. The property owner can also schedule an appointment for the appraiser to view the property if <br />needed. <br />Benefits for the property owner <br />Property owners often find that the open book meeting is less intimidating than presenting their appeal to the board of <br />appeal and equalization. They often appreciate the fact that they can have their questions answered in a more private <br />setting, and not have to be apprehensive about making a presentation in front of their friends and neighbors. In this <br />one-on-one setting, property owners may spend as much time with the appraiser as they need. They can compare the <br />value of their home with the values of similar homes owned by their neighbors. <br />The process is very efficient because concerns and questions are often resolved immediately. Property owners can see that <br />the appraiser collects the same information on all properties, reassuring them that the process is the same for everyone, and <br />they have not been singled out for a value increase. <br />32 <br />