Oklahoma ad valorem forum, 07/2012, v.21 no.7

              Volume XXI, Issue VII July 2012
The mission of the Ad Valorem Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission is
to promote an ad valorem property tax system which is fair and equitable
to all taxpayers by implementing standard valuation methodology, tax law
conformity, and assessment administration compliance.
Oklahoma
Ad Valorem F O R U M
“IAAO Zangerle Award Winner:
1997 and 2010”
Director’s Notes:
The Sixty-eighth Annual Conference will be here shortly. We’re glad the conference will be returning to
Tulsa again since we are used to it, and it’s a good fit for the County Assessors’ Association.
We will continue our format from last year in that no computer sessions will be conducted at the OSU-Tulsa
campus. As always, we have invited State Board of Equalization members to address the group in our
Tuesday session.
We appreciate the work of the County Assessors Officers at the planning session. President Scott Kirby,
Gail Hedgcoth, David Tinsley, and Mandy Snyder have been great to work with as well as the help from Gary
Snyder, Doug Warr, and Scott Warren in making the final arrangements.
Conference reservations have proceeded well. We have about the same good turn-out in the neighborhood
of 465 attendees this year.
For the 11th year in a row, we will recognize those County Assessors and Deputies who’ve completed their
initial and advanced accreditation programs. To recognize that achievement, the Center for Local Government
Technology and the Ad Valorem Division will present accreditation certificates at the opening session.
Conference Highlights:
Jewette Farley will again be at the conference. He will present “Once There was a Property Tax” featuring
his take on change in the ad valorem system. We always enjoy Jewette’s knowledge and humor on property
tax issues.
We will follow that with sessions on the new compliance audit, a presentation on Indian law by Professor
Judith Royster of Tulsa Law School, and valuation of convenience stores. Troy Frazier will conduct the mapping
track which he has done so well for many years. Sessions include CAMA and AA training with CCAP for the
state system as well as Landmark and Colorado Customware training. I am also looking forward to Wade
Patterson and Gary Snyder’s presentation on wind power. (That’s wind facilities.)
Sessions will be held on Veteran Exemptions, Contracting for Services, and Manufactured Homes. Doug
Brydon and Patty Heath will conduct a session on the five-year exemption program, and personal property issues.
Hope to see everyone in Tulsa. I appreciate the effort of all of you in rearranging your schedules and
family time to come to the Annual Conference. This is what we do in the ad valorem business in Oklahoma,
and we’re looking forward to a productive week.
Sincerely,
Jeff Spelman, CAE