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Baker County Value Adjustment Board retains counsel, adopts procedures and sets hearing dates
Summary
At its organizational meeting, the Baker County Value Adjustment Board confirmed retention of Moyer Law Firm as board counsel, adopted local procedures and Resolution 202401, authorized certification of value, approved destruction of records through 2019 and set hearings for Oct. 9 (Oct. 10 alternate).
John Moyle, board counsel for the Baker County Value Adjustment Board, opened the board’s organizational meeting and asked members to confirm that the Moyer Law Firm continue as the board’s counsel. A motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Moyle described the board’s quasi‑judicial role in hearing property value and exemption disputes and explained the filing process, noting: "It's a $15 filing fee." He outlined procedural safeguards in the adopted local administrative procedures, including delegations that allow the clerk and counsel to review late‑filing petitions and help petitioners correct technical errors instead of dismissing filings for clerical mistakes.
Under agenda item D the board approved the local administrative procedures and then adopted Resolution 202401, each by motion, second and unanimous voice vote. Moyle also briefed members on ex parte communications and sunshine rules, reminding them to avoid discussing pending petitions outside of duly noticed meetings.
Moyle reviewed several recent statutory updates that affect appeals: he said the law clarifies that the VAB chair must be a county commissioner and that Department of Revenue guidance favors the county commission appointing members and electing the chair. He also said the legislature removed a previously charged $10 administrative fee and that challengers must make a partial tax payment for the year under challenge.
The board set its hearing dates "Wednesday, October, 9th," with Oct. 10 listed as an alternate, after a motion and unanimous approval. The board also authorized execution of the initial certification of value form for real and tangible property to be submitted to the Department of Revenue, and approved destruction of records through 2019 consistent with retention rules.
Other items Moyle noted included recent changes to charter school exemption filings, a $5,000 salary increase for the tax collector referenced as a legislative action, and new guidance allowing the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to issue a certificate indicating whether a development qualifies as affordable housing for the property appraiser's consideration (non‑binding).
With those business items concluded, a motion to recess was made and approved, and the organizational meeting ended. The clerk will post materials and coordinate logistics for the Oct. 9 (and Oct. 10 alternate) hearings.
