Grievance-day staffing fine proposed

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September 3, 2009

By DENISE A. RAYMO The Press Republican Thu Sep 03, 2009, 11:38 PM EDT

MALONE — Towns could be fined by Franklin County as much as $1,000 in the future if they don't keep their Board of Assessment and Review trained and at full strength.

County Real Property Tax Service Director Mary Bausch brought the idea to the County Legislature Thursday.

Assessment and Review appointees receive training and certification when they are first awarded their positions and must renew that certification through additional training every four years.

And at least three certified members of the committee must be present to hear and review cases on a town's Grievance Day, when property owners lobby to have their assessments adjusted.

If there are too few members or uncertified people, the chairman of the County Legislature, the county treasurer and clerk of the legislature must attend instead to hear the cases, which is what occurred for the first time last year in the Town of Brighton.

"It was a little touch-and-go with a couple of towns, and we held our breath, but no county services were needed this year," Bausch said. "But there will be a new training session in 2010."

She said discussions have taken place with the towns to remind them not to let their Board of Assessment and Review appointments and certifications lapse, "but I suggest a fee for county use on Grievance Day.

"Once the towns see this resolution, they are going to make it a point to make sure BAR members are assigned, appointed and trained," Bausch said.

She sought the opinion of a retired State Office of Real Property Tax Service attorney, who told her it is the members' civic responsibility to carry out the duties to which they were appointed and "to attend the training sessions and not put it on the county."

Training-session dates are coordinated among the adjoining counties, so even if a person could not attend a training session in Franklin County, the same classes are held in Clinton, Essex and St. Lawrence counties if those are more convenient to attend.

The issue was sent back to the Finance Committee for further discussion. Members are expected to have a recommendation at the Sept. 17 County Legislature meeting.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com