The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders have honored Matthew Clark, Clifford Moore III and the tax board staff and commissioners for their international recognition of the Real Property Assessment Demonstration Program (ADP).
According to a press release from the county, the Monmouth County Tax Board has been awarded the 2019 Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction Award from the International Association of Assessment Officers (IAAO). This accolade is the highest international award given to a Real Property Assessment Jurisdiction.
In addition, Harvard University has named Monmouth County’s ADP as a “Top 25 program” of the 2018 Innovations in American Government Award Competition, according to the press release.
“Since the inception of the ADP and the improvements made by Mr. Clark and his staff, the number of appeals on property assessments has dropped significantly, with just over 1% of property owners filing appeals,” Freeholder Director Tom Arnone said. “Less and less taxpayers are appealing because of newfound balance and accuracy in assessing municipalities within Monmouth County.”
Local assessors and the county tax board worked collaboratively to deliver cost savings and enhanced public service through annual reassessments, a revised assessment calendar and leveraging modern appraisal techniques and technology, according to the press release.
“The successful implementation of the ADP in Monmouth County will serve as a model for the rest of the state,” said Freeholder Gerry P. Scharfenberger, who is the liaison to the Monmouth County Tax Board.
“The accuracy, efficiency and fairness of this program are mathematically incomparable and I commend the tax board staff and commissioners for their diligence,” he said.
In March 2013, Gov. Chris Christie signed the Assessment Demonstration Program into law.
The program was designed to be a permanent replacement for the state’s antiquated property tax system, to begin in tax year 2014. The Monmouth County Board of Taxation and the Monmouth County municipal assessors signed on to be the first in the state to take on the cost-saving project, according to the press release.
For more information about the county tax board and ADP, go to www.visitmonmouth.com