MINUTES OF VALA DIRECTORS’ MEETING
SEPTEMBER 3,
2008
The meeting was called to order
at 9:15 a.m. by President Galen Mudgett with 20 in attendance as follows:
Mark Paulsen PV&R
Joyce Scribner Manchester
Pauline Moore Manchester
Peter Rimsa Proctor Rutland
Howard Burgess Rutland Town Rutland
Carlton Domey Cabot Washington
Richard Lewis S. Barre Washington
Frank Partsch PV&R
Phyllis Newton Vernon Windham
Lisa Truchon Lincoln Addison
Penny Allyn Reading Windsor
John Vickery Reading Windsor
Mimi Burstein Bethel Windsor
John Vickery Burlington
Ed Clodfelter Calais
Carol Hammond Vernon Windham
Galen Mudgett, Jr Sharon Windsor
Louise Ferris-Burt Bethel
Pat French Randolph Orange
Todd LeBlanc S. Burlington Chittenden
______________________________
A motion was made by Peter Rimsa to accept the minutes of the July 2, 2008 meeting. The motion was seconded and passed.
The Treasurers report was read
by Louise as follows, and accepted as read.
Balance 6/30/08 $
5,005.88
Dues Received $ 135.00
IAAO Course A/R
73.97
Expenses -
Refreshments $
16.96
Ending Balance 8/31/2008 $
5,197.89
Education Fund $1,000.00 A/R
0.00
General Fund $4,197.89 Memberships paid to date 7/1/08 – 6/30/09 9
______________________________
VLCT: Due to scheduling
conflicts, no one from VLCT was able to attend.
PV&R: Mark Paulsen
The issue of valuing utilities at net book value is back on the table, thanks to the Tax Commissioner Pelham. Peter Rimsa stated that requests have been made of the PSB to look at the numbers to see what the impact will be on towns if this methodology is used. Some utilities keep local records while others use allocation. The PSB needs to get their numbers together so that they can develop a concrete proposal for VLCT and VALA & PV&R to review.
There was discussion as to the depreciation of lines—utilities depreciate lines etc more quickly. The comment was made that utility lines still carry same amount of electricity whether they are new or 20 years old. There was also discussion about the state taking over the assessment of utilities and that there needed to be uniformity in how the utilities keep their records.
The tax commissioner needs
to be aware of the impact that net book valuation of utilities will
have on towns.
Committee for RFPs: need
to start working this fall—could discuss at the annual meeting.
Listing Practices were discussed: When a property sells, is the assessment changed to come close to the sale price or will there be no changes made until the next reappraisal? Todd commented that if there is a big difference between assessed value and sale price, contact should be made with the previous and/or present owners to determine why. Equity needs to be maintained. PV&R can identify towns that sales chase.
Another question was asked as to why the state is not willing to throw sales out of the sales study at request of the Listers. Mark Paulsen stated that on average, 60% of sales are thrown out. However, as the number of sales drop, more will have to be kept in the study to be able to develop statistics.
Keeping good records will solve a lot of equity issues.
At present, towns have the
authority to set their own listing practices.
This is an underlying problem—the lack of standards/uniformity on
each level from the Lister community to the State.
(In past VALA meetings the issue of state standards for assessment was
discussed at length.) Act 60 and all that followed further complicated
this issue.
Education: John Vickery
commented on upcoming classes with a special note regarding “Webinars”
which Michelle Wilson is looking to institute hopefully within a year.
This would solve some of the difficulties that arise in finding suitable/convenient
locations and times.
Annual Meeting: legislative
policy (see attachment); all of the items with the exemption of “e”
will be discussed at the annual meeting. It was moved by Peter Rimsa
to remove item “e” from the list since it really is not an assessment
issue. The motion was seconded and passed.
John Vickery, on behalf of
Tom Vickery, asked the membership present if Tom still had the okay
to speak as a VALA representative at the Current Use hearing.
The answer was yes, that the authorization stands until rescinded.
Galen was nominated for President
for the upcoming year. This recommendation will be made for vote
at the annual meeting.
There was a brief discussion
on the HS122 reporting process in NEMRC.
There is a need for a secretary
for the VALA annual meeting. Pauline Moore will take over for
Carol this year. THANK YOU PAULINE.
With no other business to conduct
the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Hammond, Secretary