LIHUE — On Tuesday, Sept. 30, the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) and the County of Kauai celebrated National Assessors Day by inviting the public and industry partners to join in recognizing the vital role assessors play in our communities.
Earlier this year, the County of Kauai’s Real Property Division had 21 staff members participate in a tour of an existing farm to understand better the intricacies of operating a bona fide farm. The tour included appraisers, clerical staff, tax collectors, technical staff, supervisors, tax managers, and the Deputy Director of Finance.
“Our assessors play a vital role in maintaining trust and equity within our community,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “On National Assessors Day, we celebrate their commitment to professionalism, transparency, and service, which directly supports the well-being of our island.”
Assessors are government officials responsible for determining the value of real property for taxation purposes. Property tax revenues fund essential services, including law enforcement, fire protection, road maintenance, and numerous other programs that directly benefit the community.
Assessors are trained to establish the fair market value of property, defined as the price agreed upon by a willing buyer and a willing seller in an informed transaction. It is essential to note that assessors determine property values for tax purposes, while tax rates themselves are established by governing bodies, such as city, county, or town councils.
Members of the IAAO are committed to ensuring fair and equitable property valuation. Addressing valuation disparities requires cooperation among assessors, policymakers, and the community to identify issues and prevent inequities in the future.
IAAO emphasizes the following cornerstones of sound assessment practices:
• Appraising properties regularly to determine fair market value;
• Following IAAO technical standards on assessment and office operations;
• Allocating adequate resources to jurisdictions to carry out the assessment function in accordance with best practices; and
• Providing assessors and assessing staff with training and ongoing professional development.
IAAO technical standards guide assessment professionals, policymakers, and administrators, while its Code of Ethics reinforces public trust by requiring members to uphold principles of accountability, transparency, inclusivity, and responsiveness.
National Assessors Day highlights the essential role of assessors in maintaining fair property values that help fund critical government services for the community.
To learn more about how Real Property Assessors make their assessments, watch our Kauai County Real Property Assessment video.
For more information, contact the Real Property Division at 808-241-4224, email rpassessment@kauai.gov, or visit www.kauai.gov/realproperty.
Source: The Garden Island
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