HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-05-2013 - 5qORD- 2013 -030
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 5, 2013
Action Agenda
Item No. 5 -q
SUBJECT: FY 2013 -14 Budget Amendment #1 -D —Approval of Two (2.0 FTE) New
Appraiser I Positions within the Revaluation Fund
DEPARTMENT: Tax Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dwane Brinson, Tax Administrator,
(919) 245 -2726
1
PURPOSE: To consider approval of Budget Amendment #1 -D by approving two (2.0 FTE)
additional Appraiser I positions within the Revaluation Fund as part of the cyclical North
Carolina revaluation process, and an appropriation from the Revaluation Fund's Unassigned
Fund Balance to cover the FY 2013 -14 costs.
BACKGROUND: At its May 7, 2013 regular meeting, the Orange County Board of
Commissioners approved a resolution delaying the next countywide revaluation until January 1,
2017. Discussion centered on a number of considerations, two main ones being (1) the
improving economy and (2) a need for a full list and measure revaluation. The County has
been decades without a full list and measure revaluation, and completing this process will help
ensure tax records are accurate. The industry average of those counties performing an in-
house revaluation is 8,000 — 10,000 parcels per appraiser. Orange County has slightly more
than 54,000 parcels and currently four appraisers. Raising that total to six appraisers brings
staff levels to 9,000 parcels per appraiser.
An effective hire date of October 1, 2013 is proposed as a full list and measure revaluation
takes considerable time and effort. A number of internal processes and decisions need to be
discussed and redefined should these additional positions be established.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: As the 2015 revaluation was formally delayed prior to budget finalization,
the Tax Administrator was able to significantly reduce costs accordingly. The annual cost,
including salary, benefits and operating expenses, of these additional positions is estimated to
be $110,760. Also, additional one -time startup costs, including office furnishings, laptops and
software associated with the positions are estimated at $7,230. However, given the proposed
effective start date of October 1, 2013 for these positions, the fiscal year 2013 -14 financial
impact is estimated at $90,720.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve Budget
Amendment #1 -D by approving these two new (2.0 FTE) Appraiser I positions within the
Revaluation Fund, and approve an appropriation of $90,270 from the Revaluation Fund's
Unassigned Fund Balance to cover the costs of the positions for FY 2013 -14.