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22 <br /> 1 examined those neighborhoods for consistency and reasonableness and identified an additional <br /> 2 76 neighborhoods that require a more thorough review. The Tax Office is also studying the 19 <br /> 3 neighborhoods identified by the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition for possible value <br /> 4 adjustments. A total of 171 neighborhoods have been identified by the Tax Office for closer <br /> 5 review. <br /> 6 <br /> 7 In order to expedite that review, the County Manager has authorized the Tax Office to contract <br /> 8 with private professional appraisers to supplement current staffing. With this additional staffing, <br /> 9 the Tax Office estimates that the neighborhood reviews will be completed by mid-November, prior <br /> 10 to the Thanksgiving holiday. <br /> 11 <br /> 12 If value adjustments are made, property owners will receive a notice of the change and will have <br /> 13 15 days to appeal that change. If the change in value also changes the amount of property tax <br /> 14 due, tax payers who have already paid their property taxes will be issued a refund if the amount <br /> 15 is lower than their original tax bill or a notice of additional tax due if the amount is higher than the <br /> 16 original tax bill. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 Tax Assessment Work Group <br /> 19 In June, the County Manager recommended the creation of a Tax Assessment Work Group to <br /> 20 study and make recommendations to improve and ensure the fairness, accuracy, and consistency <br /> 21 of the tax assessment process. The Manager is also recommending that the County select a <br /> 22 consultant through a request for proposal (RFP) process to work with the Work Group to examine <br /> 23 processes and procedures, identify best practices, and make recommendations to improve the <br /> 24 equity, consistency, and accuracy of the assessment process. The consultant would also be <br /> 25 asked to recommend the organizational capacity, staffing, and structure required to implement its <br /> 26 recommendations. The County Manager is seeking the Board's approval of the charge, <br /> 27 composition, and role of the Work Group as described below. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Charge <br /> 30 The Tax Assessment Work Group is charged to evaluate the policies, processes, and <br /> 31 procedures used by the Orange County Tax Office to assess property values. The Work <br /> 32 Group will provide feedback and input to a consultant retained by the County to make <br /> 33 recommendations on changes and enhancements to the tax assesment process that will <br /> 34 improve and ensure the accuracy and fairness of property assessments. <br /> 35 Composition <br /> 36 <br /> 37 1. Three Commissioners 47 9. Representative from the Orange <br /> 38 2. County Manager 48 County Property Tax Justice <br /> 39 3. Tax Administrator 49 Coalition <br /> 40 4. Budget Director 50 10. Non-Profit Housing Provider <br /> 41 5. Director of Civil Rights and Civic Life 51 11. Community Representative from <br /> 42 6. Community Relations Director 52 District 1 <br /> 43 7. Durham and/or Wake County Tax 53 12. Community Representative from <br /> 44 Assessor 54 District 2 <br /> 45 8. Representative from the North <br /> 46 Carolina Housing Coalition <br /> 55 <br />