During the meeting, the board members tackled the intricate process of deferring property taxes. They engaged in a thorough discussion about the challenges of persuading banks to accept a second position in the deferral process, which is a concern for taxpayers seeking this option. The mechanics of communicating liens associated with deferred taxes were questioned, highlighting the need for clarity and efficiency in handling these matters. Moreover, the board examined the implications of potential changes in interest rates for the deferral program and the procedures for notifying the state about exemption changes. The topic of adjusted bills for those with exemptions due to misstated property values was also broached.

In addition to tax deferral complexities, the board expressed concerns over two omitted bills that had been sent out and the necessity to investigate a list of 102 properties to ensure accuracy in billing. This led to a motion to enter executive session to review abatements and further analyze these issues without the live broadcast and Zoom recording.

Another point of discussion was the forthcoming launch of the board’s new website. Members reviewed the test plan release schedule and expressed issues with the readability of small boxes on the website prototype. The necessity to declare the website “done” and implement it, with ongoing testing to follow, was a focal topic. The board emphasized the importance of creating a Geographic Information System (GIS) to visually map out site characteristics and current classifications for neighborhoods, which would greatly assist in the property assessment process.

The formation of a neighborhood review committee also took center stage. The board deliberated over the timing of the committee’s first meeting and the recruitment of a realtor to assist in the committee’s work. This initiative is part of the board’s efforts to update and refine the neighborhood classifications and incorporate site qualifiers to address property issues more accurately.

Furthermore, the board discussed their upcoming meeting schedule, including the availability of meeting rooms and the possibility of holding a meeting in early July. The necessity to get up to speed on Department of Local Services (DLS) rules, neighborhood classifications, and site qualifiers was underscored, as well as the need for a policy format for exemptions investigations, with a member volunteering to undertake this task.