Awards

Laurie Spencer has been working in the Assessment Administration profession in Michigan since 1977 when she started in the CETA program as a field worker. She recently retired as the Equalization Director for Leelanau County but continues to serve as the assessor for Presque Isle Township in Presque Isle County.  Laurie has been an outstanding Assessor, Equalization Director, Mentor, and Educator. Laurie's experience and real-world application of the work we do as assessors and Equalization Directors, has impacted many beginner and experienced assessors alike over the years. 

She has taught for MAA and the STC - writing and creating many of the courses herself and has been an instructor for the Michigan Townships Association. She provides valuable content to the areas of assessing. Specifically, she has written and presented presentations not only for the BOR training, but for township board officials. She was instrumental in providing content regarding how to streamline an assessing budget through the use of technology, showing the value of how to work smarter--not harder.

Ms. Spencer has written articles related to assessment administration published in the ImagiNews and local newspapers. She was the recipient of Imagin’s “Jim Living Geospatial Achievement Award in 2012”. In 2015 under Laurie’s leadership, the Leelanau County Equalization Department received the Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction Award. She served as the President for the Michigan Association of Equalization Directors and the President of the Northern Michigan Equalization Directors Association. She received MAED’s Director of the Year award in 2017.

Laurie has been a resource for our profession throughout her entire career and is highly respected by assessors and directors from all over the state.

Pete Arbor’s contribution to the field of education over the past 20 plus years has been invaluable. Pete’s expertise on instructing one of the hardest concepts "Income Approach to Value" is recognized and appreciated by students from across the entire state. His continuous commitment to teaching assessors, young and old, is an indication that he is a true educator and values the assessment administration field and the community of assessors. Pete has a way of explaining challenging valuation techniques in a way that is understandable. He is respected by his students and his fellow instructors.

For over 30 years Tim has shared his vast knowledge on assessment administration, tax law and appraisal practices with assessing professionals. While with the Department of Treasury, he authored and presented numerous articles and courses regarding changing laws and recent precedent setting court rulings. Most recently, Tim authored the article "The Confusing, And Uncertain, Methodologies For Assessing Alternative Energy Systems In Michigan". This insightful article goes a long way in helping assessors navigate and understand the complexities in valuing alternative energy systems and highlight the different treatment based on the size of the project and the use of the energy.

Barb Duncanson has been a staple at the Department of Treasury for decades. With the use of MiSuites for continuing education reporting, Barb is responsible for administering the information regarding courses and attendees. She is professional, knowledgeable, helpful, and happy to assist when someone is having an issue. She has excellent organization and communication skills. She pays attention to details and her desire to do her job well has not gone unnoticed. For her years of working for the Department of Treasury and her service to assessors all over Michigan, Barb Duncanson is deserving of the Property Tax Achievement Award.

Kent County Bureau of Equalization, Matt Woolford The discussion of statewide CAMA Data Standards began several years ago within the Kent County Bureau of Equalization. While the path to required implementation of CAMA Data Standards in 2022 involved numerous individuals and agencies, the concept began under the leadership of the Kent County Bureau of Equalization Director, Matt Woolford.