Title
Adopt a resolution: Authorizing the County Assessor to file a Grant Application on behalf of the County of Monterey with the California Department of Finance under the State Supplementation for County Assessors’ Program (SSCAP) in the annual amount of $170,000, with the County matching at a rate of one dollar ($1) for every two dollars ($2), for FY 2018-19, for a total annual match by the County of $85,000.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution: authorizing the County Assessor to file a Grant Application on behalf of the County of Monterey with the California Department of Finance under the State Supplementation for County Assessors’ Program (SSCAP) in the annual amount of $170,000, with the County matching at a rate of one dollar ($1) for every two dollars ($2), for FY 2018-19, for a total annual match by the County of $85,000.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The State of California has created a three-year program, beginning FY 2018-19 thru FY 2020-21, to selected representative counties in order to ensure more accurate assessment of local property. It is believed that, a more accurate assessment process will reduce otherwise escaped valuation and help offset the State’s General Fund obligations to local K-14 schools and offices of education. The success of the program shall be determined by enhanced statewide implementation of local equalization by properly valuing property, and thereby capturing property tax revenues for local K-14 school and offices of education that might otherwise escape recognition and collection. The County Assessor seeks the support of the Budget Committee to participate in SSCAP. Monterey County shall be required to match at a rate of one dollar ($1) for every two dollars ($2) in State Program funds. Program funds must be used to supplement, and not supplant, existing funding and staff levels.
The Monterey County Assessor’s office seeks to hire one (1.0) additional Appraiser and one (1.0) additional Office Assistant II. These positions are necessary to ensure the success of the program to make discovery, and eliminate backlog, so that the Assessor’s office can appropriately and accurately supplement the tax roll to facilitate the assessment and collection of tax revenue funds for all entitled entities, including but not limited to local K-14 schools and offices of education.
In 2014-15 through 2016-17, with the support of the Board, the Monterey County Assessor’s office participated in a previous program called the State-County Assessors’ Partnership Program. This previous program required a dollar-to-dollar match, and it has been calculated that for every dollar put into the program, there was a $14 return. The Monterey County Assessor feels participation in SSCAP is a benefit not only to the Assessor’s office but to the County as a whole with an increased tax roll; thus, increasing the County’s discretionary revenue. Therefore, it is recommended that the Board approve this action.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the grant application as to form. This recommendation was supported by the Budget Committee on July 25, 2018.
FINANCING:
If the grant is awarded, the Assessor’s Office will receive $170,000 annually for three years requiring an $85,000 match from the County each year. The Assessor’s office will return directly to the Board at the time of acceptance of the grant to request the use of $85,000 in General Fund Contingencies for FY 2018-19. Funding matches for FY 2019-20 of $85,000 and FY 2020-21 of $85,000 will be requested during the budget process in those fiscal years. After the three year grant funding is over, if there are not sufficient appropriations in the Assessor’s Budget, positions funded by the grant will be eliminated.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This report correlates to the Board’s strategic initiatives by allowing the Assessor’s office to increase the property tax roll; therefore, increasing funds for the benefit of the County, schools, and community of Monterey County.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
_x_Economic Development
_x_Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Corina Morgan, Finance Manager, ext. 5821
Approved by:
_________________________________
Stephen L. Vagnini
Assessor-County Clerk/Recorder
Ext. 5803
Attachment:
Application
Resolution