Iowa Property Tax

From: Hyman, Dale [IDR]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 5:10 PM
To: Iowa Assessors
Subject: public relations

Assessors:

A complaint heard from taxpayers and legislators is that assessors control the board of review and the hearing is not fair. This is a perception that creates ill will and poor public relations. Here are a few suggestions to avoid that perception:

• Make the assessor's office presentation at the hearing.
• Do not continue to make the case after the taxpayer leaves.
• Let the board of review do inspections on their own.
• Provide the taxpayer with a copy of the office's presentation to the board of review.
• Treat petitioners in a friendly way and with respect (even tax representatives).

No doubt most hearings are amicable and fair. It is an old adage though that bad news spreads like wildfire. It takes a lot of positive experiences to overcome one perceived bad experience. I realize what difficult jobs assessors have and what an excellent group of dedicated professionals you are so please take this advice as a friendly suggestion.

Dale Hyman, Administrator
Property Tax Division
Iowa Department of Revenue
dale.hyman@iowa.gov
515/281-3362