Oklahoma ad valorem forum, 08/2012, v.21 no.8

              Volume XXI, Issue VIII August 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 Tulsa Annual Conference was another winner for the 68th time. We had 470 students and things ran
smoothly all week with the hotel construction noise held to a minimum. We were not made aware ahead of
time that the hotel was conducting a major renovation project, but it was a non-event for the most of the week.
Our average class size was nearly 108 students which is up since some classes were combined. We provided
5,544 total class hours for the week.
Our opening session was well attended and may have set a record. We had State Board of Equalization
members Treasurer Ken Miller and State Auditor Gary Jones present. They did a good job addressing the group.
Congratulations to over one hundred county assessors and deputies who completed either their initial
or advanced accreditation. That’s an achievement and the Ad Valorem Division is happy to recognize those
students at the Annual Conference. CLGT does a great job on the accreditation program.
Many indicated that they liked having the whole conference under the same roof without having to travel
across Tulsa to the OSU Center for computer training.
Jewette Farley, long time instructor, was presented with an “Okie” pin at the opening session. He’s come
to the Oklahoma conference many times and really helped us during some challenging budget years. He is
always one of our most popular instructors.
Thanks also to Oklahoma State University for Gary Snyder and Doug Warr for their classes on convenience
store valuation and CCAP Scott Warren, Michael Challis, and Carol Bomhoff for teaching the AA classes in
the Maple Room.
We had some great sessions on wind energy (Wade Patterson and Gary Snyder), the “Test” Audit, working
with contractors, CAMA, mapping, five- year exemption, mobile homes, veterans exemptions, Indian law (a
good session by Professor Judith Royster of Tulsa University Law School), AA training, public service update,
and many other good sessions.
I’d like to personally thank President Scott Kirby and his band of cheerful conference warriors-- David
Tinsley, Gail Hedgcoth, and Mandy Snyder. Scott has been fun to work with this year.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Tulsa at CODA.
Sincerely,
Jeff Spelman, CAE