To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Kyreen Gonzalez, AAB Clerk, 707-565-1561
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Approve the Re-Appointments of Stephen M. Beckwith and James Brush as general members of the Assessment Appeals Board each for a term of three years beginning on September 5, 2022 and ending September 1, 2025. (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
The Board of Supervisors are responsible for appointments to over 75 Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces. Vacancies and upcoming expiring appointments are posted on the County’s list of Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces website: <https://sonoma-county.granicus.com/boards/w/808bd6e42edf8e0f>.
Rule 50 of the Board Rules of Procedures states that the Clerk of the Board shall convene staff to review prospective countywide appointments and make appointment recommendations to the Board. The current item submits recommendations for positions on the Assessment Appeals Board.
Discussion:
Assessment Appeals Board consists of three general members and three alternate members that are countywide appointments by the Board of Supervisors. Each member serves for a term of three years. Each member must have a minimum of five years of professional experience in California as a public accountant, a real estate broker, an attorney or a property appraiser. Prior to serving, each member must also complete a training course from the Board of Equalization to satisfy Revenue and Taxation Code Section 1624.01. Two general members are currently eligible for reappointment.
The members currently eligible for reappointment are:
• Stephen M. Beckwith was a licensed real estate professional from 1989 through 1995 and is now a licensed attorney. He has been serving as a general member since December 2006.
• James Brush, a licensed real estate professional, who has been serving as a general member since September 2007.
Staff recommends reappointing the existing members for the following reasons:
• Each member is in good standing and is willing and qualified to continue service.
• Each member is willing to continue to meet the increased demands on her time that the Assessment Appeals schedule requires, without any additional compensation.
• Each member is experienced with the complex, quasi-judicial Assessment Appeals process.
• The County will be able to resolve fewer applications for an unknown period of time as the Assessment Appeals calendar will have to be reduced time to conduct recruitment and train new members.
Per Government Code Section 1623 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, Assessment Appeals Board members term shall begin on the first Monday of September for a term of three years.
Prior Board Actions:
December 5, 2006: Appointed Stephen M. Beckwith as a general member to the Assessment Appeals Board
September 11, 2007: Appointed James Brush as a general member to the Assessment Appeals Board
January 1, 2010: Reappointed Stephen M. Beckwith as a general member of the Assessment Appeals Board
August 24, 2010: Reappointed James Brush as a general member of the Assessment Appeals Board
September 9, 2013: Reappointed Stephen M. Beckwith and James Brush as general members to the Assessment Appeals Board
December 6, 2016: Reappointed Stephen M. Beckwith as a regular member to the Assessment Appeals Board
December 6, 2016: Reappointed James Brush as a regular member to the Assessment Appeals Board
September 2, 2019: Appointed Stephen M. Beckwith as a general member to the Assessment Appeals Board
September 2, 2019: Appointed James Brush as a general member to the Assessment Appeals Board
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Per Board of Supervisors Resolutions 18-0504 and 19-0271 Assessment Appeals Board Members are paid $125.00 for meetings less than four hours and $250.00 for meetings four hours or more.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None