Orange County NC Website
4 <br /> 2. Effort and difficulty in implementing the program or project: How well did the program use available <br /> resources, given the time limitations on such resources? Were tax dollars saved? Were future <br /> expenditures curtailed?What obstacles or challenges had to be overcome? <br /> This was a large-scale project with many moving parts and involving coordination of efforts over time. The program <br /> used many existing resources and knowledge of staff. For example, development of a sample sales comparison grid <br /> and step-by-step instructions on how to evaluate sales was completed through Microsoft Excel and staff knowledge. <br /> Developing the Learn and Share revaluation video series, similarly,was made possible by staff volunteers. Three <br /> videos were created. One is more introductory,the second has more appraisal substance and the third covers mostly <br /> the appeals process. These are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the public. The interactive quiz was <br /> developed through a low-cost solution called ProProfs. Staff developed the quiz, Certificate of Achievement and <br /> manages analysis and reporting for feedback. <br /> 3. Describe how the program or project involves collaboration with other departments, municipal <br /> jurisdictions, non-profits or businesses? <br /> This program's success was dependent on collaboration within the tax office and other county departments. Every <br /> division within the tax office was involved in making the Learn and Share revaluation video series. Involvement <br /> included scene appearances,behind-the-scenes shots of staff hard at work reviewing maps, and staff speaking on <br /> camera during portions of the video. One scene involved an actual taxpayer reviewing her property record card with <br /> our Chief Appraiser. Orange County's Public Affairs office assisted with production of the videos. Public Affairs <br /> provided insight into best practices and coordinated the video shooting with a local producer. Orange County <br /> Information Technologies was instrumental in providing electronic solutions to components of the program. This <br /> segment alone was a great experience for staff. <br /> The program was advertised widely through County and Town resources as well as media outlets. It also was a part <br /> of every revaluation presentation. Of course,the largest collaborative component of this program was with the <br /> public. We developed this for the public to encourage their involvement in our 2017 revaluation. Moreover,we <br /> want to inspire the public's involvement upfront and throughout the process so, in part,they are educated about our <br /> methodology and their resources ahead of time. Increasing the public's understanding of the process and guidelines <br /> prior to the actual revaluation helps reduce frustration and increase collaboration during the revaluation process. <br /> This all ties back to the adage of making someone part of the decision process increases their likelihood of accepting <br /> the decision in the end. <br /> 4. Would other counties have the ability to replicate this program or project? What could counties do to <br /> minimize obstacles and problems? <br /> Yes,this program could be replicated and customized in other counties. To minimize obstacles and problems, other <br /> counties would create a roadmap and timeline upfront outlining the expectations. The standard project management <br /> questions of"what do we hope to accomplish?", "what is our timeline for each phase of the program?", etc. should <br /> be determined upfront. <br />