HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 22 2025, 2025 VAB Organizational Meeting Minutes Adotped MINUTES OF THE
MONROE COUNTY
VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD
Organizational Meeting
Marathon Government Center
August 22, 2025 10:00 A.M.
The 2025 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 Mayor & Board Member Commissioner Jim Scholl, School Board Member John
Dick, and School Board Citizen Member Jason Koler. Also present were Clerk of Court Kevin
Madok, VAB Counsel Jennifer Sanchez, Sally Abrams VAB Clerk, Property Appraiser Scott
Russell, Property Appraiser Supervisors Dee Dee Harnish and Mike Russo and Property
Appraiser Counsel Jennifer McClain. VAB Members not present were County
Commissioner/VAB Chair Craig Cates, County Commissioner David Rice, School Board
Alternate Member Mindy Conn, and County Commission Citizen Member John Repetto.
County Commissioner Mayor Jim Scholl called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Item 1 — In his capacity as Monroe County Mayor, VAB Member, County Commissioner Jim
Scholl appointed himself as Temporary Replacement for 2025 VAB Chair, Commissioner Craig Cates,
who was absent for purposes of holding the Organizational Meeting, pursuant to F.S. 194.015.
Commissioner Cates was appointed as VAB Chair by the BOCC at its August 20, 2025, Commission
Meeting. VAB Chairman Craig Cates was out of town and unable to attend today's VAB Organizational
meeting.
Item 2. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler nominating Commissioner David Rice as Vice Chair of the 2025
Value Adjustment Board. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 3. The list of the 2025 members of the Value Adjustment Board was read aloud by Sally
Abrams,VAB Clerk. The 2025 VAB Member contact list is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. 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. This year's filing fee shall be $50.00 per parcel. After discussion, Motion
carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 001-2025
Said Resolution is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 5. VAB Counsel, Jennifer G. Sanchez presented the 2025 recommended appointments of
the Special Magistrates. After discussion, motion was made by School Board Member John Dick
and seconded by School Board Citizen Member Jason Koler to appoint the 2025 Special
Magistrates as listed. Motion carried unanimously.
• Special Magistrates for Exemption and Classifications - David Van Loon, Rinky
Parwani, and Roshawn Banks.
• Special Magistrates for Valuation — Real Property and Commercial — Kevin
Talbott, Steven Nystrom & Ena Jane.
• Special Magistrates for Tangible Personal Property —Steven Nystrom
Item 6. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler to adopt in bulk the 2025 Local Administrative Procedures of the
Board, items a-g. Motion carried unanimously.
a. Authorize Board Counsel to review and make good cause determinations of late-filed
petitions for tax appeal year 2025,pursuant to Rule 12D.9-015; ratifying such good cause
determinations,if any, made to date.
b. Direct Board Clerk to interpret "filed" as when the petition is received by the Clerk, and
not to base a timely filing on the postmark.No acceptance of petitions via fax.
c. Authorize Board Clerk, or designee, VAB legal counsel, to re-schedule hearings
requested by petitioners or the Property Appraiser a single time for good cause. F.S
194.032 (2)(a).
d. Authorize Board Chair to sign all documents upon VAB Counsel review.
e. Beginning January 1, 2026, petitioners may appear at a hearing using electronic or other
communication equipment if a petitioner submits a written request to appear in such
manner at least 10 calendar days before the date of the hearing.
f. No de novo hearings or appeals shall be heard during the 2025 Final Meeting of the Value
Adjustment Board.
g. 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 7. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler to adopt the 2024 VAB Final Meeting Minutes of June 11, 2025, as
presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 8. Motion was made by School Board Member John Dick and seconded by School Board
Citizen Member Jason Koler to approve the Initial Certification of the 2025 Tax Rolls, pursuant
to Fla. Statute 193.122. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 9. VAB Counsel, Jennifer G. Sanchez reviewed 2025 Legislative Changes with the Board.
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Item 10. VAB Clerk, Sally Abrams reported the number of petitions processed to date were as
follows: Note: TRIMNotices were mailed this week
• Exemption& Classifications: 6
• Valuation Petitions 0
• Tangible Personal Property Petitions: 0
• Late-Filed Petitions (to date): 0
Item 11. VAB Clerk, Sally Abrams announced the 2025 VAB Reference List is available to the
Public, Special Magistrates and Board Members. Said reference list is attached hereto.
Item 12. VAB Clerk, Sally Abrams announced the tentative hearing schedule for the 2025 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 13. Scott Russell, Monroe County Property Appraiser, addressed the Board.
Item 14. There was no public comment.
Item 15 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
Sally M. Abrams, D.C.
Adopted 06.11.26
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