AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
Purpose: monitor legislative and administrative policy decisions that may have an impact on County Auditors and the CAAO; advocate for equitable and accountable measures for the purpose of ad valorem property taxes specifically agricultural real estate, dog and kennel licensing; serve as liaison to Department of Agriculture, Department of Taxation, Department of Natural Resources, Farm Bureau Federation, County Dog Wardens Association and other interested parties, provide educational opportunities on agricultural related topics. Chair is the CAAO representative to Department of Taxation Agricultural Advisory Committee.
BOARD OF REVISION
Purpose: review legislation on issues that impact County Boards of Revision; advocate for proper authority of Boards of Revision and the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals and for reasonable methods to support the constitutional right for property owners to appeal valuations; analysis of local government use of challenges to value; review of settlements and side deals between property owners and school districts.
CONFERENCE PLANNING/EDUCATION
Purpose: arrange for conference dates, times, and location; create educational format for conferences as well as activities that encourage networking among members; arrange for additional educational seminars and events, including the Legislative Day and Reception in the odd numbered years; update and revise County Auditor Calendar and Duties and responsibilities guidebook; consider input from business partners to help foster a positive environment for all sectors of CAAO; serve as liaison to presenters, facility, and other interested parties, review scholarship requests and make approvals of application for scholarships. The CAAO Third Vice President serves as the chair of the Conference Planning Committee. Members are appointed by the District Presidents.
FINANCIALS
Purpose: serve as liaison with Auditor of State, Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Ohio Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA); provide analyses of Generally Accepted Accounting Provisions (GAAP) issues, payroll, accounts payable, insurance, development of internal controls and policies and procedures for both CAAO and County Auditors, etc. A subcommittee will serve as an audit committee to review the financial records of the CAAO and Audit PAC on an annual basis.
PROPERTY TAX AND VALUATION
Purpose: serve as liaison to International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) and Ohio Department of Taxation, Division of Tax Equalization; provide continuity with the Tax Department; provide insight on and review tax exemptions and incentive programs, tax reform, issues impacting mass appraisals and appraisers, tax levy election issues; review legislation and judicial decisions that may have an impact on County Auditors; advocate for modernization and proper authority of Boards of Revision and the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals, and for reasonable methods to support the constitutional right for property owners to appeal valuations; monitor possible changes in property tax and/or school funding reform legislation; advocate for fair and equitable method of property taxation.
PUBLIC RELATIONS/SUPPORT SERVICES
Purpose: promote support for the operation of the County Auditor’s office; provide mechanisms for implementing new forms, new operating procedures, public relations techniques, and creative new ways to provide open public records; support open venues of communication among County Auditors; provide sample press releases; publication of County Auditors’ directory; publication and distribution of periodic newsletter, information on CAAO web site; election and ethics issues, social media.
PUBLIC UTILITY COMMITTEE
Purpose: monitor administrative and legislative policy decisions regarding valuation of public utilities, including pipelines, solar arrays, wind farms and traditional utilities; serve as liaison to Ohio Department of Taxation, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and other state and local entities, developers, and others; address issues pertaining to the process of assessing oil and gas wells, valuation of sites and impact on values and CAUV.
TECHNOLOGY/SHARED SERVICES
Purpose: study details of open data format for public records; recommend CAAO response to legislation. Work with state and local entities in implementation and application of new technologies; assist in use and development of new technologies and the formation of cooperative ventures between counties to assist in acquisition of new technologies; assist in use of new technologies in the CAAO office, including web site development and enhancements and e-mail uses; assist County Auditors’ offices with implementation of new technologies; serve as liaison to Ohio County/City Information Technology Association (OCITA); Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program (OGRIP), foster and promote education on technology advances for a broad range of application including GIS, appraisals, etc., protect and expand status of County Automatic Data Processing Board. A member is the CAAO representative to the OGRIP Council.
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
Purpose: monitor legislative and administrative policy decisions that may have an impact on County Auditors and the CAAO; serve as liaison to Central Weights & Measures Association, National Weights & Measures Association, Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Weights & Measures, and other interested parties; advocate for and promote the importance of an equitable marketplace through weights and measures inspections.