Some thoughts on a stronger, greener Assessor/Recorder/Clerk's office
Better Service to Public, Prompt Records:
Our office has just completed combining the Assessor's public customer service counter with the Tax Collector. We are also improving our forms and website information for improved communications with taxpayers.
I will:
- continue working to complete our website improvements, my goal-- to facilitate the site's ease of use, functionality and service to the public and County staff
- support website and online services with appropriate media outreach to improve access and awareness of the information available on our website.
- continue to develop programs to improve our procedures and systems for processing assessment reviews and assessment appeals--the goal: faster service times and public satisfaction
Green Initiatives:
In cooperation with the County Information and Services Technology Department, the Assessor-Recorder's Office has designed and implemented a successful electronic records system. We actively recycle our paper products, participate in the County's green program and initiated the statewide legislation which began in 2010 to accept electronic instead of paper plans in Assessor's offices.
- Responsibility to schools, cities, and special districts.
We cooperate very closely with other financial departments, cities, special districts and school districts to provide assessment and statistical information. We recognize our Constitution mandate to determine fair and equitable assessments and our community responsibility to align with the County Strategic Plan to provide excellent services that support healthy, safe, and sustainable communities.
- How to keep government services running when receipts are down? Planning Issues?
Planning for sustainable government services in the current economic climate requires short term and long term planning on a daily basis. Our department reviews its procedures and practices throughout the year. We meet and consult with management and staff to find new and better ways to process work. We are always changing to investigate and incorporate new technology and improved efficiencies. Most recently we combined our public counter with the Tax Collector to improve customer services. We have consolidated space in the Civic Center and reduced leased space at offsite locations. I have worked with staff in designing new forms, new work processing procedures, new database applications, and new staff performance measures. We will continue to upgrade efficiencies, improve our web page and web based customer services. Change is the "norm" in the Assessor-Recorder's office and will be an ongoing focus during my tenure.
- Response to County Supervisors and government officials and agencies.
Richard Benson is the assessment point person for the Assessor-Recorder's Office. When county Supervisors or other government officials need help with a complex assessment questions they are most often referred to Richard Benson. Individual taxpayers, property tax professionals, school districts, and other Assessor's Offices frequently rely on the information available from me.
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