Assessing Info Dec 19 2019

What's ahead for retail? It's simple ... just look

to the past >

Reflecting back on three and a half decades of success, failures, and extraordinary growth in an industry that has been undergoing near constant evolution, there are clear themes that emerge, some obvious lessons to be learned, and some important clues about the big developments—and big questions—that will shape the future of retail and mixed-use development going forward. Read more

Suddenly, mortgages are in vogue for NY luxury condo buyers >

For the world’s wealthiest, paying cash for a lavish Manhattan apartment was the ultimate status symbol. These days, even those buyers would rather get a mortgage. Of all $5 million-plus home purchases in the borough, the share made with cash tumbled to 44 percent in the third quarter, according to appraiser Miller Samuel Inc. and brokerage Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Read more

New Hampshire state workers can now bring their babies to work >

Beginning in January, every day will be “Bring Your Baby To Work Day” for state employees in New Hampshire. Gov. Chris Sununu this month signed an executive order allowing parents and eligible guardians of infants between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months to bring their child to work, with some restrictions. Read more

IAAO NEWS

Registration open for Emerging Leadership Summit >
Registration is now open for IAAO's second annual Emerging Leadership Summit, set for April 2-3, 2020, in Chicago. The Summit is designed to provide a powerful professional development opportunity for emerging leaders who have a desire to advance their careers in the assessment industry. Attendees will come away with a new network of peers and colleagues with a shared purpose who can support each other in their careers long after the summit is over. Read more

+ IAAO names Elizabeth Brandel CFO and COO, Ashley Lathrop to Deputy CFO >

IAAO announced that effective Jan. 1, Elizabeth Brandel, CPA/CITP, CBMA, MBA, will be the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, and Ashley Lathrop will become the Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Brandel is responsible for all aspects of the financial affairs of IAAO. Before joining IAAO, Beth gained a broad range of regulatory, corporate, and local government experience, including leadership positions and work with appointed and elected boards. In addition to a CPA, she earned Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from Pittsburg State University. Mr. Lathrop has been with IAAO since 2005, previously serving as Membership Director. He has a B.S. in finance and an MBA from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. He also serves as a trustee for the Professional Consulting Services of IAAO, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of IAAO designed to help jurisdictions with assessment issues.

+ Early registration open for 2020 Annual Conference >
Looking to get ahead of the new year and take care of registering for the 2020 IAAO Annual Conference before the end of 2019? IAAO has opened limited registration for the 86th IAAO Annual International Conference on Assessment Administration at the request of members who would like to pay for 2020 conference registration in 2019. Attendee and guest registration is now available online or by using a paper form. The 2020 Conference will be Aug. 30-Sept. 2 in Denver. Hotel rooms, event tickets, and single day registration will be available in the spring. Read more

+ Submit your presentation ideas for the conference! >
Interested in presenting at the 2020 IAAO Annual Conference in Denver? The Call for Presentations is now open. The submission deadline is Jan. 31, but anyone interested is encouraged to submit presentation ideas as soon as possible. Registration discounts of up to $200 may be available to presenters. Read more

+ Early bird deadline is Jan. 13 for GIS Conference >
The early bird deadline is January 13 for the 2020 GIS/Valuation Technologies Conference, March 23-26 in Louisville, Kentucky. Formerly known as GIS/CAMA, the event was re-branded to take into account the abundance of technologies that, when integrated with GIS, make valuation and assessment more accurate, efficient and applicable for jurisdictions of all sizes. #GIS/ValTech2020 will feature an exhibition, pre-conference workshops, keynote speakers, and a substantial educational program. Read more

IAAO Connect Corner

+ Hot Topic: Apiary/honey bees as agricultural use >

IAAO Connect members are currently discussing how apiary/honey bees are becoming more popular, and if a bee hive is on a property, how much of the property shoud be considered for agricultural use. Read more

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

+ Here's why Angel Stadium in Anaheim is worth less than Mike Trout >

The city of Anaheim is selling its baseball stadium and the parking lots around it for up to $325 million, with various unspecified caveats. On Friday, Dec. 20, city council will vote on selling the property to a mysterious group headed by Arte Moreno, owner of the facility’s main tenant: the Los Angeles Angels. Since the outline of the deal was announced earlier this month, there’s been plenty of conjecture about the true value of the 153-acre, city-owned property. Read more

+ Chicago nonprofit hospitals forced to defend hundreds of millions in property tax breaks >

Chicago's nonprofit hospitals face new pressure to justify property tax exemptions worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Nonprofits in Illinois are exempt from property taxes, in return for providing free or discounted services to poor and underinsured people. But activists are alleging the hospitals don't provide enough free care to warrant the break. Read more

+ The lasting benefits of moving to a wealthier neighborhood >

New research found that young children from low-income families who moved to neighborhoods with less poverty through housing vouchers spent less on health care as adults. Read more

+ Idaho Republicans eye property taxes, redistricting >

Idaho House Republican leaders say property tax relief and redistricting will be high on their list of priorities in the 2020 legislative session. House Speaker Scott Bedke of Oakley spoke Tuesday at a Republican town hall. He says rising property taxes are a problem in fast-growing areas of the state. Read more

+ Missouri rejects $30 million tax credit request for St. Louis soccer stadium >

Missouri officials have denied St. Louis’ request for $30 million in tax credits for a Major League Soccer stadium. However, a soccer team spokesman said plans for construction on the project would continue. Read more