FAYETTE PROPERTY NEWS

FAYETTE PROPERTY NEWS
PVA implements latest in technology
Volume 1, Issue 2
January 7, 2010
The combined use of
GIS mapping software
and high resolution
aerial
photography
(Pictometry)
has
become an integral
part of the Fayette
PVA Office.
Among David O’Neill’s
first major initiatives
was the establishment
of
a
research department
centered on the use
of these technologies.
Through contacts in
the departments of
GIS at LFUCG and UK,
O’Neill
recruited
recent UK graduate
Calvin Harmin as the
first employee of the Example of a neighborhood map used by PVA assessors
research department.
Harmin’s first task was to update neighborhood
further enhanced by using aerial photography.
maps used by property assessors which were
PVA assessors are able to look at high-resolution
originally created in 1998.
aerial photography from directly overhead as well
In addition to the neighborhood maps, the PVA
as at a 45-degree angle from many directions.
staff is also utilizing GIS technology to plot sales,
Desktop applications allow assessors to utilize this
foreclosures, property improvements and other
imagery to measure a building’s dimensions withdata to better identify trends within specific
out leaving the PVA Office. This does not entirely
neighborhoods. “We can visually represent
eliminate the need for physical inspections but has
almost every aspect of the property data that we
already resulted in a reduction in the number of
gather using this software,” said Harmin.
field verifications performed by the PVA staff.
GIS mapping has also allowed the PVA staff to
be more efficient in terms of field inspections
and to lower automobile expenses by
electronically organizing routes and maps prior to
leaving the office.
The benefits of this GIS mapping software are
The PVA Office is currently working with LFUCG
and Pictometry representatives to update imagery
and software capabilities. Funds necessary for
these upgrades have been secured through the
sale of under utilized automobiles in the office
pool.
Address changed? Let us know!
If you own property in Fayette County and you move or change your mailing address,
download the “Change of Address” form on www.FayettePVA.com, complete and return it to
the office. Please call (859) 246-2722 with any questions.
PVA David O’Neill
Inside this issue:
PVA takes voluntary
budget cut
2
Appealing an assessment
2
Data quality improved
2
Celebrating staff
milestones, recognitions
2
2010 Tax Calendar
Building Permits
2
3
2009 Residential
Property Transfers by
Sale Price
3
Residential Property
Transfers by Year
3
Residential Foreclosures
3
A Publication of the
Fayette County Property
Valuation Administrator
101 E. Vine St., Ste. 600
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 246-2722
www.FayettePVA.com
Page 2
Fayette Property News
Fayette PVA takes voluntary budget cut
On November 25, David O’Neill announced
that the Fayette PVA Office voluntarily
requested a 5.8% budget cut in the
operating funds appropriated by the
Lexington-Fayette
Urban
County
Government (LFUCG).
Additionally, previously outsourced
accounting services
were brought inhouse saving $4,000 per year. Other
non-essential expenses such as cellular
phone service, cable and travel have been
reduced or eliminated.
“We are all in this period of economic
recovery and revenue shortfall together,”
O’Neill said. “The tax payers expect
nothing less than full disclosure,
cooperation and belt-tightening from all
government entities and the PVA office is
no exception.”
Selling the excess PVA vehicles netted
$45,000 for the office budget. Approximately $10,000 will be used to offset the
voluntary reduction in LFUCG funding.
The remaining $35,000 will upgrade
aerial photography images and other GIS
technologies that the office recently
implemented to increase efficiency in
property assessment practices. (see cover
LFUCG appropriated $365,000 to the PVA
Office for Fiscal Year 2010 which is paid in
quarterly installments. The appropriation
for FY 2010 is now $344,000.
Previous cost-cutting measures made it
possible to take this voluntary reduction.
In August, O’Neill reduced the size of the
PVA automobile fleet by 45% which saved
taxpayers approximately $5,000 per year
in related expenses.
story for more information)
“This is exactly the type of response that
our current situation requires, and I hope
Mr. O’Neill’s proactive efforts will inspire
other agencies to step up in similar
fashion,” said Mayor Jim Newberry. “We
very much appreciate the help of the PVA
and his staff in resolving this issue.”
Appealing an assessment
Data quality improved
Property owners will be notified by mail
in April if their property assessment has
changed. Any property owner, whether
their assessment changed from the prior
year or not, can discuss or challenge an
assessed value with the office and has
the right to conference with the PVA
during the annual 13-day Open
Inspection period; for 2010 that period is
May 3-17 including Saturdays.
Prompt delivery of property tax bills
depends upon accurate ownership data
including correct mailing addresses for
property owners. This year our staff
corrected nearly 2,000 erroneous ownership records prior to the tax bills being
mailed on September 30, 2009.
If an agreement on value is not reached
between the PVA and the property owner
before the end of Open Inspection, then
the owner has the right to appeal to the
Local Board of Tax Appeals. If the
Board’s decision does not satisfy the
taxpayer or the PVA, then either party
may file an appeal with the Kentucky
Board of Tax Appeals.
2010
Tax
Calendar
January 1
Assessment Date
Also, employing address verification
technologies for the first time in this
process, the staff then began to work on
correcting the owner mailing addresses
on the 2,700 tax bills which were
returned as undeliverable by the USPS.
These were re-mailed to taxpayers in a
timely manner which ensured taxpayers
could take advantage of the 2% discount
period. These efforts will reduce the
number of undeliverable tax bills in 2010
by an estimated 65% compared to 2008.
January 31
Last day to pay property
taxes with 5% penalty
Celebrating staff
milestones, recognitions
Congratulations to Bonnie Coppinger
(above center, with Deputy PVA Carolyn
Logan and PVA David O’Neill) who was
recognized by the Department of
Revenue as a Certified Kentucky
Assessor in November 2009. Bonnie is
our Residential Property Supervisor and
has been with our office since 2006.
Nelson
Keesey
(right),
celebrated
his 23rd year
with the
PVA Office in
December.
Nelson, a
commercial property assessor, is widely
respected in the commercial property
industry and is often sought out for his
institutional knowledge and well organized sales books.
Lori Houlihan
(left), who
administers
Homestead
Exemptions in
the PVA Office,
was voted the
3rd most
intriguing
Kentucky newsmaker in a Lexington
Herald-Leader poll. Lori founded Lexington’s March Madness Marching Band
and is a founding officer of Local First
Lexington, a non-profit organization
that promotes area businesses.
April 15
Notices mailed to property
owners whose
assessments changed
May 3-May 17
Open Inspection of Tax
Roll (including Saturdays)
Volume 1, Issue 2
Page 3
2009 Residential Property Transfers
by Sale Price
Building Permits
Commercial
2008
2009
Residential
2008
2009
January
58
37
120
56
February
40
35
103
135
March
48
29
135
187
April
45
39
197
138
May
41
41
237
161
June
51
39
239
175
July
80
45
169
220
August
53
72
217
184
September
38
41
156
148
October
48
53
129
149
November
33
40
93
135
December
36
37
86
89
Total
535
471
1795
Sale Price
$49,999 and Below
$50,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $119,999
$120,000 - $139,999
$140,000 - $159,999
$160,000 - $179,999
$180,000 - $199,999
$200,000 - $249,999
$250,000 - $299,999
$300,000 - $499,999
$500,000 - $749,999
$750,000 - $999,999
$1,000,000 - $1,249,999
$1,250,000 - $1,499,999
$1,500,000 - $1,999,999
$2,000,000 +
1688
Total
Parcels
Transactions
6,494
154
17,981
515
12,790
484
13,619
692
9,843
522
7,183
384
5,041
242
8,209
397
5,232
205
6,402
315
1,444
93
390
19
99
5
48
1
26
1
19
0
Total
Includes building permits received from LFUCG that are
reviewed by PVA for possible value added
94,820
4,029
All residential properties, including single family, duplexes, townhouses and
condos. Excludes family and quit claim transfers.
Residential Property Transfers by Year
Number of Residential Property Transfers by Year
Residential Foreclosures
2008
11,000
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2009
January
29
39
February
37
39
March
50
37
April
44
27
May
35
76
June
54
46
July
39
63
August
39
69
September
50
48
October
43
59
November
55
69
December
52
38
Total
527
610