Civil grand jury urges steeper cut in Assessor-Recorder backlog; Assessor outlines steps to hire appraisers and digitize records

A San Francisco Board of Supervisors Government Audit & Oversight Committee hearing on Sept. 11 reviewed a June 2006 Civil Grand Jury report that found roughly 26,000 parcels — about 14% of the city's property records — remained in backlog at the Assessor-Recorder’s Office and estimated a revenue shortfall of approximately $2,000,000 a year.

Richard E. Smoak, chair of the civil grand jury committee that examined the office, highlighted what the jury called a persistent backlog and recommended reducing processing delays to a six‑month standard. The jury also flagged what it described as incomplete implementation of recommendations from a 2002 Board of Equalization report and raised questions about inconsistent appraisal positions, the absence of an accessible recordkeeping system for appellant‑submitted materials, and the lack of systematic performance measures tied to staffing needs.

Controller Harrington told the committee the Controller’s Office has regular biweekly coordination meetings with the Assessor and Tax Collector and that the city budget included funding for additional assessor positions. The Controller’s office said it will conduct an audit of the Assessor’s operation in the second half of the fiscal year to examine backlog management and related controls.

Assessor-Recorder Ting said the office agrees with the large majority of recommendations and has authority from the mayor and the Board to post and fill 5.5 additional appraiser positions and hire several temporary clerks, with a target to have staff in place by Oct. 1. He described work under way to codify appraisal practices — an internal appraisers handbook and new office policies — and said the office intends to build or update an electronic documentation database so valuations and supporting materials are stored and retrievable for appeals.

Ting acknowledged the office has not completed all items cited in the BOE's 2002 report but said many of the BOE recommendations were already in process or had been addressed. On the specific six‑month backlog goal recommended by the grand jury, Ting said the office had publicly stated an intent to reach a 12‑month backlog and that oversight of the remaining recommendations may require follow‑up by the Board.

The committee asked for written follow‑up and documentation on staffing authorizations, recruitment status, and the timeline for the electronic file project. The Controller and Assessor said they would provide additional materials to the committee as the hiring process and audit move forward.