Assessing Info 2018 Sept. 6

Middle-class misery: Housing crisis hitting working people harder than ever before >

Coast to coast, developers have heard the calls loudly and clearly. But market forces in most cities are making it nearly impossible to build new housing that the middle class can afford — and the gap between subsidized low-income housing and high-end apartments is wider than ever. Cities recognize that huge swaths of their workforce are heavily burdened by housing costs, but in the decade since the calamitous events of 2008, only a few minor steps have been taken to address the growing problem. Read more

Landlords who inherited property are making a killing in California >

The tale of California’s famous Proposition 13 is partly one of a singular tax system in which public functions that rely upon property levies elsewhere are in California often based on other types of revenues. But it’s also a story of a few much-lauded benefits for property-owners increasingly giving way to absurd and grossly unfair inequities. Read more

Rising sea levels are knocking down housing values >

Whether or not you believe in global warming, if you're buying a home near the ocean, pay attention to the expected sea level rise—and keep a close eye on those investing alongside you. Some prospective buyers are even insisting that shore properties include an "SLR discount." Read more

IAAO NEWS

+ Writing demonstration report focus of next webinar >

Join three IAAO graders for their tips on how to increase your likelihood of writing a successful demonstration narrative appraisal report during the Writing a Successful Demonstration Report webinar at Noon Central on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The graders will share advice on how to get started on writing your report. They will also address specific areas where rejected reports typically fall short, and what to make sure you focus on to avoid repeating these mistakes. More information

+ Conference mobile app available for download >

IAAO has released the 2018 Conference Mobile App and it is available to download from the Google Play Store or Apple Store. The mobile app includes the conference schedule, list of attendees, session materials, maps, and list of exhibitors and sponsors. Most of the app is available to view without logging into the app, but sections such as the session materials and attendee list require attendees to log in. Conference attendees who log in to the app by Sept. 23 will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. Read more

+ Conference Roundtables set for Tuesday, Sept 25 >

IAAO will offer 11 Conference Roundtables on Tuesday, September 25 from 12:15 to 1:15 pm in the Exhibit Hall. Provide input, ask questions and engage with your peers on a topic at lunch on Tuesday. Led by a facilitator, roundtables will provide a forum to focus on a specific subject and meet others with similar issues of interest. Read more

+ Comment period extended on revised Bylaws >

The comment period for the proposed revised bylaws has been extended to October 1. A special Town Hall will take place at the IAAO Annual Conference on Monday, Sept. 24 to review the revised Bylaws which combines the current Constitution and Bylaws. Members may download the draft version of the document and submit comments on the proposed document via IAAO Connect or by email until Oct. 1. More information

+ Legal Seminar registration open >

Registration is open for the IAAO 39th Annual Legal Seminar in Chicago on Dec. 13-14, 2018, at the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. This two-day seminar will cover recent developments in real property taxation, wind farm improvements and asset appraisal, challenges in the valuation of special purpose properties, litigation strategies for big box properties, and ethical conundrums for attorneys. Attorneys seeking CLE credit must submit those requests by Oct. 1. Read more

+ Library Trust Fund Campaign sets fund-raising goal >

The Friends of the Paul V. Corusy Memorial Library Matching Campaign has set a fund-raising goal of $10,000 this year. Peter Korpacz of Korpacz Realty will match $2,500 in donations and Mark Kenney of American Valuation Group, Inc. will match an additional $2,500. Attendees at the 2018 Annual IAAO Conference in Minneapolis can make a donation onsite or you may contact the library. The campaign’s current project is supporting the library’s new Research Exchange digital repository.Research Exchange

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

+ Seattle suburb testing app to 'X-ray' city streets >

The city of Auburn, Washington, is testing technology that could soon give its public works employees virtual X-ray vision. Through the use of an augmented reality mobile application, employees in the city's geographic information systems division are now testing the use of software for iPads and iPhones that when held up to the street, shows the locations of pipes and other assets for the city's water, sewer, storm water, traffic and communications infrastructure. Read more

+ Cook county assessor candidate calls for ban

on aldermen serving as property tax attorneys >

The Democratic nominee in the Cook County assessor’s race is voicing support for a ban on city aldermen doubling as property tax appeals attorneys, an arrangement that encourages conflicts of interest. The latest call for a ban on city lawmakers from moonlighting as property tax attorneys came from likely Cook County assessor to-be, Fritz Kaegi. Read more

+ Man charged after pointing AR-15 rifle at two county assessors at his house >

A man faces a hearing next month on charges that he pointed a rifle at two county assessors who inspecting his property. Lindsay McConnell, 58, is charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and harassment in connection with the incident. No one was injured. The employees of the Butler County Assessment Office had gone to the defendant's house to conduct a field check of his property, police said. Read more

+ NACo releases report on housing help for county workers >

The latest report from the NACo Counties’ Futures Lab, Access to Housing: Supporting County Workers Through Affordable Homes, examines how county governments are increasingly providing housing assistance benefits to employees as a strategy to build and sustain workforces that will best serve communities. Read more