Laserfiche WebLink
KITTITAS COUNTY <br />COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES <br />COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES — BOARD OF COUNTY <br />COMMISSIONERS <br />2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: July 10, 2023 <br />TOPIC: Board of Equalization Hearings Examiner <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook, Director <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff prepare and solicit for a Board of Equalization (BoE) Hearings Examiner. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Washington Administrative Code 458-14-436 specifically addresses the use of a <br />hearings examiner supporting the BoE (EXHIBIT 1). <br />• The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) assigned council affirms the use of <br />a hearing examiner supporting the BoE is consistent with law so long as the <br />examiner offers an opinion, and that the BoE makes the final decision on appeals. <br />• Staff proposes developing a job description and soliciting for a BoE Hearing <br />Examiner supporting the 2023 BoE appeal process. <br />• A final decision determining the makeup of the BoE is rapidly approaching (July <br />14, 2023). <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The BoCC recently acted moving the BoE from the Commissioner's office to <br />Community Development Services. Staff has been researching the potential to hire a <br />Hearings Examiner advising the Board of Equalization on appraisal appeals. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Washington Administrative Code 458-14-436 specifically addresses the use of a hearings <br />examiner supporting the BoE. The citizen BoE now appears to be sufficiently staffed to <br />proceed the BoE's required meeting deadline of July 14, 2023. Staff has prepared a draft <br />job description for the BoE examiner (EXHIBIT 2). Staff has also prepared a draft <br />request for proposal supporting the hiring of the examiner (EXHIBIT 3). <br />Previously, staff has discussed the option of the BoCC serving as the BoE. The option, <br />with a Hearings Examiner (HE) recommended appeal action, affords control over the <br />BoE timeline process. We have received approximately 150 appeals for this current <br />appeal cycle. Relying completely on a citizen BoE to manage the 2023 appeal docket in <br />a timely manner is a concern for staff. Staff does believe that by using a HE to conduct <br />Page 1 of 5 <br />Community Development Services "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 <br />