July 30, 2026 Value Adjustment Board Organizational Meeting
July 30, 2026 Value Adjustment Board Organizational Meeting
The Hillsborough County Value Adjustment Board (VAB) held its organizational meeting on July 30, 2026, to confirm members, appoint legal counsel, ratify filing fees, adopt procedures, appoint special magistrates, and handle administrative matters. No public comment was submitted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up to speak, and none appeared online.
Discussion Items
- Appointment of Legal Counsel: The board reappointed Ms. Parwani as VAB legal counsel. Board members expressed strong satisfaction with her past service. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Confirmation of Administrative Requirements: The board confirmed that a quorum was present, contact information was included in the packet, and all required statutes and rules (e.g., 12D-9, 12D-10, Chapters 193‑195, Government in the Sunshine Law) are available online via the Hillsborough Clerk website or in paper copies.
- Appointment of Special Magistrates: The board approved all qualified attorney and appraiser magistrate applicants, subject to verification of licenses and training by the clerk. Discussion included past delays by one magistrate (Mr. Robinson) and the need for flexibility to reassign petitions to meet deadlines. The motion included authority for the clerk to reassign hearings as needed. The motion passed. Subsequently, the board authorized the chair to execute the magistrate contracts, and separately voted to allow attorney magistrates to handle rescheduling requests for good cause, both passing.
- Adoption of Local VAB Procedures: The board adopted the local VAB procedures and approved local forms, noting no changes beyond statutory updates. Motion passed.
- Ratification of Filing Fee: The board ratified an increase in the filing fee to $55, consistent with a mid-year statutory update (previously $50). Motion passed.
- Overview of VAB Process: Legal counsel provided a mandatory overview of the VAB quasi-judicial process, explaining the role of the board, special magistrates, petitioners’ rights, and the availability of direct circuit court appeal.
- Approval of May 19, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the previous meeting were approved with no amendments. Motion passed.
- Correspondence and System Updates: The clerk announced a transition from the AXE system to a new software called “Just Appraised,” which is also used by the property appraiser. The board noted that all hearings will now be recorded as required for larger counties. An addendum was discussed regarding a petitioner who sent an appeal request but had not filed a proper petition; a response letter was sent outlining proper procedures.
- Audit Update: The board noted that a routine audit is ongoing, focused on financial compliance and statutory adherence. The clerk is enhancing documentation practices (e.g., verifying magistrate licenses before hearings) to prepare for future audits.
Key Outcomes
- Appointed legal counsel: Ms. Parwani (unanimous voice vote).
- Approved special magistrate appointments: All qualified applicants, with clerk verification required prior to hearings (motion passed).
- Authorized chair to execute magistrate contracts (passed).
- Authorized attorney magistrates to reschedule hearings for good cause (passed).
- Adopted local VAB procedures (passed).
- Ratified filing fee increase to $55 (passed).
- Approved minutes from May 19, 2026 (passed).
- Tentatively scheduled next meeting: September 15, 2026 at 9:30 AM to extend tax rules.
- Noted orientation for magistrates via WebEx at 11:00 AM the same day.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Welcome to uh July 30th Value Adjustment Board Organizational Meeting. Would you all please uh we'll call this meeting the order and please stand for plate of allegiance. I'd like to leave it to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much. We don't have anyone signed up for public comment today, do we? We do welcome public comment, and that is uh something that we um certainly encourage, but we'll move beyond that today. Um the purpose of this organizational meeting is to confirm the VAB members, clerk staff contact information, appoint legal counsel, and ratify the filing fee resolution, approve and authorize twenty twenty-six special magistrate appointments, adopt a local VAB procedures, and handle other VAB matters. So, how would we like to proceed first? Um, we can move along on the agenda. The first item required by statute. Um, and I'm assuming there was no one online as well for public comment, correct? No. Okay. Um, we would need to appoint VAB legal counsel. And that would be you. Yes. Yes, before you can make any other decisions that's required by states. Okay, well, let's get uh on with that then. So we are going to um I'm presuming since we have a contract with you here that you're willing to take on those services again. I would be honored, and I haven't asked for any increase in pay or anything. It's the same contract that you've had in prior years. Obviously, you're allowed to advertise and um every year, so it is one of the first things you need to do. And if you're thinking about advertising, we should start that. I'm not planning on retiring it anytime soon, but if you do um want to make it available just to see what other qualifications out there, that's certainly available to you. I think you've been doing a fantastic job in giving us uh sound advice over the certain last couple of years, so I have no cause to do so. Um is there any other comments or questions regarding this appointment? No, other than just to say thank you. Thank you for the work you've done over the course of the years. We appreciate all of your advice and um your sound direction that we've been given. So thank you. Appreciate that. Thank you. Do you need a motion? Yes, well, I need a motion and a second. Okay, I move that we appoint um Miss Parwani. Second. Thank you. Did you want to say anything either? Oh, just um, she's been amazing. Very thankful. I was just seconded the motion. Oh, okay. I just saw your light on, that's all. Thank you. Um we have a motion and it's been seconded. All those in favor of appointing Ms. Parwani, the BAB council say aye. Aye. All opposed, same sign.
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