Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: President Dave Pine, District 1
Subject: Reappointments to the Assessment Appeals Board
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Recommendation reappointments to the Assessment Appeals Board, for term ending September 30, 2023:
A) Geoffrey Wiggs, for a first full term as a regular Commissioner; and
B) Joan M. Chipser, for a third term as an Alternate Commissioner.
body
BACKGROUND:
The Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) was established to resolve property valuation disputes between the taxpayers and the Assessor's Office. The AAB consists of three impartial commissioners who act on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and is independent from both the Assessor's and Tax Collector's Offices. The AAB acts in a quasi-judicial capacity and hears evidence from both parties before rendering their decision as to the value of the property. Their decision is final and may not be reheard by the board unless ordered by the court.
DISCUSSION:
Geoffrey Wiggs has served as a Commissioner on the AAB since January 2022 after beginning a partial term as an Alternate member on February 13, 2018. He is being recommended for a first full term as a Commissioner effective October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025. Joan Chipser has served as an Alternate since her first term began in 2016. Approval of this reappointment would reflect her third term as an Alternate on the AAB.
Geoffrey Wiggs is an attorney with over 11 years of experience and is the principal at The Law Offices of Geoffrey E. Wiggs, a firm located in San Mateo that specializes in probate, bankruptcy, consumer law, and general civil litigation. Prior to his legal career, Geoffrey served in the United States Air Force as a Vietnamese Cryptologic Linguist. Mr. Wiggs holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. He received his law degree from Santa Clara University.
Joan Chipser is an attorney and has over 44 years of experience. For the first six years of her legal career, Joan practiced in the areas of litigation and bankruptcy at Pillsbury Madison & Sutro (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP). Since 1986, Joan has been the principal at her private practice, specializing in bankruptcy and insolvency law. Joan holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from UC San Diego, as well as a law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.