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