BOE accepts AAB work‑group minutes and asks staff to clarify cross‑county appointment and e‑signature guidance

The Board of Equalization accepted the minutes and report from the assessor and Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) work group and approved immediate follow‑up steps, including staff research into cross‑county appointment authority and updated guidance on electronic signatures.

Member Vasquez presented three core recommendations from the work group: clarify county authority to appoint AAB members from other counties, establish an annual AAB update meeting, and refine guidance on digital signatures and electronic agent authorization forms. "We heard testimony that counties would benefit from BOE guidance clarifying that authority under the law," Vasquez said.

Legal counsel and staff told the board that statutes and LTAs (letters to assessors) could be reviewed and revised to provide clearer instructions; Deputy Director David Young said BOE staff can redraft LTA language to clarify interactions between digital and electronic signatures.

The board approved a consolidated motion to accept the minutes, request staff analysis on cross‑jurisdictional appointment authority, provide guidance on electronic signatures and schedule a February 2026 follow‑up work group meeting. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call.

Members emphasized the need to tailor any training or technical sessions to what clerks and AAB members actually need and requested continued coordination with county offices in preparing the February session.