In this episode, Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor, discusses his role and initiatives since 2014. He highlights the department's large scale, with 1,400 employees and a $250 million budget, and the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff, especially with the impact of COVID-19. Prang details new recruitment strategies, including partnerships with community colleges to train appraisers and other staff. He also emphasizes the importance of technology, mentioning a $120 million investment in a new Oracle system to replace outdated mainframe technology. Prang also discusses the impact of Proposition 13 and Proposition 19 on property taxation and equity issues, particularly in African American and Latino communities.

We cover:

• Introduction and Jeff Prang's Role as LA County Assessor 0:01
• Journey to Become LA County Assessor 2:35
• Challenges and Strategies in Recruiting and Retaining Staff 4:40
• Innovative Recruitment Programs and Virtual Training 8:49
• Community College Partnerships and Government Recruitment 13:16
• Technology Upgrades and Procurement Challenges 18:01
• Public Education and Outreach 33:16
• Data Analysis and Equity in Property Values 35:09
• Proposition 13 and Its Impact on Property Taxes 37:26
• Future Directions and Career Advice 39:33

In this episode, Stephen White, Director of Cobb County Board of Assessors, discusses the evolution of technology in property tax assessment over 25 years. He highlights the shift to remote work, which has increased productivity by 50%. Stephen emphasizes the use of tablets and AI for fieldwork, reducing time-consuming tasks from weeks to hours. He addresses safety concerns, noting an increase in anti-government sentiments leading to threats against assessors. White also discusses leveraging AI for valuation estimates, condition assessment from MLS photos, and policy lookup. He stresses the importance of public speaking, humility, and prompt customer service in management.

We cover:

• Introduction and Stephen White's Background 0:01
• Technological Shifts in the Property Assessment Industry 2:32
• Safety Concerns and Best Practices 5:06
• Applications of AI and Large Language Models 11:22
• Best Practices in Management and Customer Service 17:53
• Advice for New Employees and Final Thoughts 26:49

In this episode, Stewart Oliver, Chief Appraiser of Gwinnett County since January 2017, discusses his career transition from private appraisal to public service. He emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making and the challenges of managing a large county with extensive data. Stewart highlights the rise of tax representatives and the need for public education. He stresses the significance of delegation and triage in prioritizing tasks, especially with a high volume of appeals (19,000-21,000 annually). He also notes the evolution of technology, including smart systems and change detection, to enhance efficiency and accuracy in appraisal and assessment administration.

We cover:

• Introduction and Stewart Oliver's Background 0:01
• Transition from Private Practice to Public Sector 2:53
• Challenges and Responsibilities in Assessment Administration 7:26
• Prioritization and Delegation in Assessment Administration 13:35
• Impact of Tax Representatives and Public Education 15:47
• Future of the Industry and Technology Integration 22:07
• Advice for New Professionals in the Field 27:12
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts 28:53