Ventura County appeals board votes to end routine remote attendance for applicants

The Ventura County Assessment Appeals Board voted July 20 to remove routine remote attendance options for applicants in assessment appeals, directing staff to require in‑person appearances except in narrowly described emergency circumstances.

The decision follows a staff presentation that summarized three options: retain the current hybrid model allowing one remote appearance for each applicant, eliminate remote attendance entirely, or permit remote attendance only for continuances and administrative matters. Assessor Keith Taylor and appraisal staff argued the one‑time remote option had been abused in some cases and had not reduced the backlog of pending appeals. Clerk staff described the logistical burden of maintaining remote access for many individual participants and distributing evidence in advance.

Chair Sisk moved to approve Option 2 — removal of remote attendance — and the motion passed in a roll‑call vote. Members Croft, Farris, Nowak and Chair Luneta voted to approve; members Farino and Wall voted no. County counsel will review narrow language proposed by staff for exceptions, and the clerk’s office said it would begin implementing the change starting with the August hearing officer meeting and roll the policy out by October.

Board members who supported the change said in‑person hearings generally encourage parties to prepare evidence and reduce serial continuances. Opponents expressed concern about access for out‑of‑state property owners and elderly or disabled participants and urged clear rules for exceptions.

The clerk’s office said it will notify applicants and distribute updated hearing instructions outlining the in‑person requirement and how emergency exceptions will be handled. The board did not alter rules for hearing officers’ administrative discretion to grant postponements or reconsiderations in narrowly defined circumstances.