Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Mark Church, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Subject: The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder requests authorization to sign on to the California County Assessors’ Information Technology Authority Joint Power Agreement (JPA) formed pursuant to Cal. Revenue & Taxation Code Section 95.60
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder to enter into an agreement as a participating member in the California County Assessors’ Information Technology Authority Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) formed pursuant to Revenue & Taxation Code Section 95.60.
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BACKGROUND:
Over the course of the last 30 years, the State has funded multiple programs with the sole purpose of modernizing and increasing efficiencies in Assessor's Offices. The most recent program was a three-year grant program that encouraged the use of technology to innovate property tax processes. Since the last grant program expired, the California Assessors' Association (CAA) has worked to obtain funding in the State budget for Assessors throughout California. This year, the CAA was successful, and the State agreed to a $30 million grant to fund statewide IT projects. In 2022 Section 95.60 was added to the Revenue & Taxation Code to assist county assessors in performing property assessments with technology investments. The 2022 Budget Act appropriated $10 million for the first year of the County Assessors’ Information Technology Grant Program. This three-year, $30 million program provides funding to assist county assessors in performing property assessments with technology investments. Funding for the second and third years is subject to Budget Act appropriations.
New projects identified by the CAA are intended to benefit all 58 counties and taxpayers across the state by providing a portal to file required forms by taxpayers and a way for counties to collaborate on data collection and communication. It is expected that the appropriation will be $10 million per year for three consecutive years. Counties that join are not obliged to commit any local funds to the joint powers agency.
DISCUSSION:
The joint powers agreement is managed by a board of directors consisting of the California Assessor Association (CAA) President, the CAA Treasurer, the coordinating assessor, and 6 assessors chosen by the member assessors of the Joint Powers Authority representing small, medium and large counties. San Mateo County would join the JPA as a large county, participating member in the development of envisioned projects. Participation in the JPA is necessary to receive funds and participate in contemplated programs.
The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder seeks this Board’s authorization to sign on to the JPA.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no known fiscal impact associated with this item. Counties that join are not currently obliged to commit any local funds to the joint powers agency.