Work group proposes tighter scheduling rules, limits on continuances to speed assessment appeals
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Summary
A BOE‑convened work group recommended that clerks of the board and assessor offices coordinate hearing schedules, adopt clearer standards for postponements and require written declarations for continuance requests to reduce delays in assessment appeals.
Greg Monteverde, Santa Clara County Assessor, reported Oct. 22 on a Board of Equalization work group that studied delays in the assessment appeals process and proposed reforms aimed at shortening resolution time.
Monteverde said the group identified two main delay drivers: poor coordination between assessor offices and clerks of the board on hearing dates and excessive postponements and continuances. The group drafted revisions to local tax administration guidance (referenced as LTA 2013‑39) recommending that clerks adopt assessor‑recommended hearing dates when feasible and use a collaborative process if schedule changes are needed.
On continuances, the group proposed (1) that postponements generally be disfavored, (2) that any party seeking a continuance supply a written declaration explaining good cause, and (3) that clerks deny requests without such a declaration. Monteverde said the proposals include evaluation factors for assessment appeals boards to consider when deciding continuance requests.
Why it matters: Assessment appeals delays affect taxpayers’ ability to obtain refunds or final valuation decisions and create county administrative burdens. Monteverde and others argued that formalizing coordination and tightening continuance rules could speed case resolution and improve predictability.
The discussion included an exchange about a possible statewide appeals portal modeled on the assessor JPA’s Prop 19 portal; Napa County Assessor John Tudor said the clerks of the board would need to lead such a portal and that a pilot could be demonstrated in 2026.
