Tax Department urges regional assessment districts, recommends appeals board, contract standards and workforce push

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Department of Taxes officials on Jan. 28 briefed the House Ways & Means committee on a final Act 73 report that recommends creating Regional Assessment Districts (RADs) aligned with forthcoming consolidated school districts, standardizing reappraisal contracts, and building a workforce pipeline to support a new statewide six‑year reappraisal cycle.

The report, delivered by Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Samaroff and Property Valuation and Review Director Jill Remick, argues that "state‑led models have real administrative appeal," while stressing reforms depend on "timing and capacity." The Department recommended a phased set of changes to reduce volatility in property valuations, improve contract oversight, and make appeals more consistent across municipalities.

Why it matters: Vermont enacted a six‑year reappraisal cycle under Act 68 (2023). Department officials said that uneven local capacity and limited reappraisal resources have produced backlogs and valuation volatility, especially in small towns with few sales. A RAD structure, the report says, would align reappraisal schedules and the Equalization Study such that a RAD could have a single common level of appraisal (CLA), which staff said would stabilize outcome…