HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 18, 2024 2024 VAB Organizational Meeting Minutes - unofficial MINUTES OF THE
MONROE COUNTY
VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD
Organizational Meeting
Marathon Government Center
September 18, 2024, 10:00 A.M.
The 2024 Organizational Meeting of the Monroe County Value Adjustment Board was
convened at 10:00 a.m. at the Marathon Government Center. Present and answering to roll call
were County Commissioner David Rice, School Board Member John Dick, and School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler. Also present were Clerk of Court Kevin Madok, VAB Counsel
Jennifer Sanchez, Katie Frederick, Deputy Clerk, Property Appraiser Supervisor Dee Dee
Harnish and Property Appraiser Counsel Jennifer McClain. Members not present were County
Commissioner Craig Cates, County Commissioner Jim Scholl, School Board Alternate Member
Mindy Conn, and County Commission Citizen Member John Repetto. Property Appraiser Scott
Russell was not present.
County Commissioner David Rice called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 1. The members of the 2024 Value Adjustment Board were introduced as follows: County
Commissioner David Rice, School Board Member John Dick, and School Board Citizen Member
Jason Koler. The 2024 VAB Member contact list is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler to Award Contract for Legal Services to Jennifer G. Sanchez, Esq.
with a term of October 1, 2024, thru September 30, 2027, pursuant to RFP response. Motion
carried unanimously.
Item 3. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler to adopt the following Resolution implementing the authorization
provided for in Section 194.013, Florida Statutes, to require a filing fee for certain petitions filed
with the Board. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 001-2024
Said Resolution is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. VAB Counsel, Jennifer G. Sanchez addressed the Board. After discussion, motion was
made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board Citizen Member Jason
Koler to appoint the 2024 Special Magistrates as listed. Motion carried unanimously.
• Special Magistrates for Exemption and Classifications - David Van Loon and
Rinky Parwani.
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• Special Magistrates for Valuation — Real Property and Commercial — Kevin
Talbott, Steven Nystrom & Ena Jane.
• Special Magistrates for Tangible Personal Property —Steven Nystrom
Item 5. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler to adopt in bulk the Local Administrative Procedures of the Board,
items a-h. Motion carried unanimously.
a. Authorize Board Counsel to review and make good cause determinations of late-
filed petitions for tax appeal year 2024, pursuant to Rule 12D.9-015; ratifying such
good cause determinations, if any, made to date.
b. Direct the Board Clerk to interpret "filed" as when the petition is received by the
Clerk, and not to base a timely filing on the postmark.
c. Authorize the Board Clerk, or his designee, legal counsel, to re-schedule hearings
requested by petitioners or Property Appraiser a single-time for good cause. F.S
194.032 (2)(a).
d. Authorize the Board Chair to sign all documents upon VAB Attorney review.
e. Grant Board Clerk flexibility in scheduling hearings and meetings pursuant to
Monroe County Guidelines and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) social
distancing guidelines established to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus by
conducting hearings and meetings via Communication Media Technology ("CMT")
using a Zoom Webinar platform and/or telephone only when conducting "In-
person" hearings or meetings cannot conform to the COVID-19 Protocols set
therein.
f. Adopt no telephonic hearings during the 2024 tax appeal year unless necessitated
by the COVID-19 Protocols listed above.
g. No de novo hearings or appeals heard during the Final Meeting of the Value
Adjustment Board.
h. Approve confirmation of denial of all petitions without further hearing when
petitioner has not made partial payment of property taxes by deadline, pursuant to
F.S. 194.014.
Item 6. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler to adopt the 2023 VAB Final Meeting Minutes of June 20, 2024, as
presented. Motion carried unanimously.
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Item 7. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler to approve the 2024 Initial Certification of the Value Adjustment
Board pursuant to Fla. Statutes Secs 197.323 and 193.122(1). Motion carried unanimously.
Item 8. VAB Counsel, Jennifer G. Sanchez will email the 2024 Legislative Changes to the Board
for their review.
Item 9. VAB Counsel, Jennifer G. Sanchez reported the number of petitions processed to date are
as follows:
• Exemption & Classifications: 7
• Valuation Petitions (Commercial 10 &Real Property 13)
• Tangible Personal Property Petitions: I
• Late-Filed Petitions (to date): 0
Item 10. VAB Counsel, Jennifer G. Sanchez announced the 2024 VAB Reference List is
available to the Public, Special Magistrates and Board Members. Said reference list is attached
hereto.
Item 11. VAB Counsel, Jennifer G. Sanchez announced the tentative hearing schedule for the
2024 tax appeal year has yet to be determined. The Board will remain in session until all
petitions have been heard,pursuant to F.S. 194.032.
Item 12. Dee Dee Harnish, Monroe County Property Appraiser Supervisor, addressed the Board.
Item 13. There was no public comment.
Item 14 Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by County
Commission Citizen Member to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting of the Value Adjustment Board adjourned.
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk
and ex-officio Clerk to the
Board of County Commissioners
Monroe County, Florida
Katie Frederick for Sally M. Abrams, D.C.
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