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Board updates evidence-exchange rule and removes some telephonic qualifiers
Summary
Counsel explained state and local changes requiring both parties to exchange evidence 15 days before hearings and recommended removing previous qualifiers for telephonic hearings and the notary oath requirement; the board approved policy updates and discussed identity-verification concerns.
Hernando County's Value Adjustment Board approved updates to evidence-exchange procedures and to its telephonic/electronic hearing forms to align with recent administrative changes.
Counsel Holly Cosby summarized the evidence-exchange change: "Each party must provide their evidence to the other 15 days prior to the hearing, period," she said, describing the change as fairer and clarifying prior confusion. The board adopted the revised petitioner information sheet and evidence-exchange instructions as part of its packet.
On remote hearings, counsel recommended removing prior qualifiers (distance or medical reasons) and eliminating the requirement that a remote participant have a notary present for oaths; instead, magistrates will administer oaths before telephonic hearings. "We're removing that requirement," Cosby said, explaining the change is consistent with how courts handle remote testimony. Magistrate Millett said she had conducted telephonic hearings and expressed reservations about identity verification without a notary: "I was a little taken aback by it, by not having the notary," she said. The board approved M3, the telephonic/hearing policy updates, and asked staff to monitor outcomes and report back if problems arise.
The board also extended the telephonic hearing request timeline from three days to ten business days to meet statutory requirements and to give staff time for scheduling and notice.
