Nov. 1, 2003 — Staffers in the Tax Assessor's Division have completed a first course to upgrade their expertise in real-property assessments, Lt. Governor Vargrave Richards' office reported Friday. The program was ordered by U.S. District Judge Thomas K. Moore as part of a legal settlement with the government in 2000.
The court had found the territory had overassessed certain properties and mandated a sweeping reform of the way property taxes are fugured. The judge assigned a Special Master, Joseph Hunt, to oversee the progress. Hunt and Tax Assessor Roy Martin are coordinating the teaching efforts.
"Training is designed to allow appraisers within the Tax Assessor's Division to increase their knowledge and skills regarding the most up-to-date practices for property evaluations," Richards said.
Among the subjects covered were terminology, appraisal and economic principles, general principles of land valuation, assessment functions and the mass-appraisal process. The session was the first in several scheduled.
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