Listers
| Title | Term | Expiration |
|---|---|---|
| Tammy Sohl (802) 823-5644 | 1 yr | 2019 |
| Sharon Nichols | 1 yr | 2019 |
| Vacant | 1 yr | 2019 |
What We Do:
Years ago, a lister's job was seasonal and part-time. Listers would spend a few days, weeks or months out of the year collecting data on new and improved properties to produce and defend a grand list.
Since then, on-going legislation and taxation complexities have brought about many changes in Vermont. The lister's job has grown markedly. Today's role of lister includes daily tasks, extensive knowledge and training, and many more hours than ever before.
Becoming educated in listing practices and real estate knowledge is an important responsibility of a lister. We attend annual seminars that address legislative and software updates. We also attend classes and workshops that lead to becoming certified as a Vermont Property Assessor. VPA certification benefits the taxpayers and the Town.
A solid knowledge of the real estate market is crucial to the accuracy of the listers annual equalization study. The results of this study set Pownal's CLA (Common Level of Appraisal), education liability and tax rates for the upcoming year. CLA also ultimately affects our reappraisal status.
Listers may work on their own, or with approval of the town selectboard (for release of the funds), may employ assistance as necessary. This assistance may be in the form of a professional appraiser/assessor, a data entry person or some other combination.
In summary, the role of lister involves a wide range of knowledge, abilities, and skills. The listers assist the public, including but not limited to taxpayers, attorneys, insurance companies, title searchers and appraisers. It can be challenging, frustrating, detailed and difficult, but above all rewarding!
Listers Responsibilities
Since then, on-going legislation and taxation complexities have brought about many changes in Vermont. The lister's job has grown markedly. Today's role of lister includes daily tasks, extensive knowledge and training, and many more hours than ever before.
Becoming educated in listing practices and real estate knowledge is an important responsibility of a lister. We attend annual seminars that address legislative and software updates. We also attend classes and workshops that lead to becoming certified as a Vermont Property Assessor. VPA certification benefits the taxpayers and the Town.
A solid knowledge of the real estate market is crucial to the accuracy of the listers annual equalization study. The results of this study set Pownal's CLA (Common Level of Appraisal), education liability and tax rates for the upcoming year. CLA also ultimately affects our reappraisal status.
Listers may work on their own, or with approval of the town selectboard (for release of the funds), may employ assistance as necessary. This assistance may be in the form of a professional appraiser/assessor, a data entry person or some other combination.
In summary, the role of lister involves a wide range of knowledge, abilities, and skills. The listers assist the public, including but not limited to taxpayers, attorneys, insurance companies, title searchers and appraisers. It can be challenging, frustrating, detailed and difficult, but above all rewarding!
The above explanation is compiled from the Vermont Department of Taxes overview.
Annual Completion of Grand List
Grand List tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:- Office systems - Creating and maintaining records.
- All Properties - Completing accurate listing and assessing of all properties, including legal ownership, mailing addresses, acreage and assessed values. Recording, researching, collecting and assessing all changes in the property by permits and/or lack of permits and property transfer returns within the town, including inspections, data collection, measuring, grading, sketching, analyzing, calculating, data entry, valuing.
- Homestead and Housesite values - Calculating, assigning and defending values for each property located within the town. (Includes data collection, data entry, taxpayer questions and problems, knowledge of ACT 68 definitions and implementation, knowledge of computer appraisal system, knowledge of grand list appraisal system and weekly downloads and verification of HS122’s filings.) The listers assist taxpayers with accessing and explanation of forms required for timely filing with the state
- Property transfers - Processing transfers, which involves doing research, reading deeds and updating records.
- Tax exempt properties - Reviewing for accuracy and proper coding. Assisting owners with exemption applications and determine eligibility. Reporting any issues or concerns to the state and comply with state requirements for listing of exemptions.
- Assessed values - Defending values established for any property located within the town. (Includes taxpayer questions and problems and knowledge of each level of appeal: lister grievance, board of civil authority, state hearing officer, and court hearings.)
- Tax maps - Updating of property tax maps to reflect changes in acreage, ownership and recording of surveys (this often includes extensive time and research to ensure accuracy).
- Deed research - Providing accuracy as needed regarding properties being transferred, surveyed or divided to ensure that all information pertaining to the rights and ownership of the property is accurately recorded and assessed.
- Current Use - Allocation of all property value enrolled and excluded from the program. Using our knowledge of the Current Use program, annual changes and the program’s effect on taxation, we annually calculate, notify and defend all allocated values for enrolled properties.
- Utilities - Assessment of utility property within town. This requires knowledge and continuing education in the changes and valuation process involved in assessing utility properties. Notification and defense of all assessed utility property values. Solar projects and cellular tower research and assessment as required.
- State Submission - Timely and accurate filing of Abstract Grand List, Final Grand List, 411s and other state-mandated reports.
- Completing accurate coding of property categories.
- Tracking and vetting of all recorded sales to defend and represent each one's validity to PV&R for use in or elimination from the annual equalization study.
- Document the justification for excluding targeted sales from the study: (send verification letters, make calls, obtain evidence).
- Discuss sales annually with Pownal's District Advisor.
- Provide PV&R with numerous reports, answers to questions, and fixes to issues.
- Review equalization study results: monitor the town's ratios and their implications.
- Study trends and be ready to implement a reappraisal when necessary. (When a reappraisal is necessary, listers have the additional time burden of multiple tasks, including re-inspecting all properties in town or assisting contracted help. Reappraisals generally occur every 5-10 years.)