MAA President's Message
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March/April Message
It is that time of year again, the end of our cycle! I would like to start by wishing everyone good luck with the March Board of Review. It will be a different experience than any of us have had in the past. If you are like me, I was hoping Covid restrictions would be lightened prior to the start of the Board of Review meetings. Keeping three boards organized on phone calls will be a little challenging. Nevertheless, I have always liked a good challenge.
As we start planning for our 2022 assessment roll, I always think of a quote by Francis of Assisi “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” With the lack of staff in the assessment field, we work towards doing what is necessary. The big question is how do we get to what’s possible? I have over 58,000 parcels with a deputy assessor, four appraisesr, two appraiser trainees, a part time clerical person, and an administrative supervisor. When I started at the City four years ago, my staff was still using original cards in the field. My favorite story is my second day of work, I walked in and my administrative supervisor was typing a new record card from a split on a typewriter. Luckily, for me, my staff was willing to learn how to use new technology to make their workload more efficient. They have been very open to almost all of the ideas I brought into the office. We had to learn to work smarter and not harder. If you are trying to find a new or easier way to accomplish something, talk to your neighboring assessor, reach out to your District Representative or post on the message board. We are in this together. I have taken something from every assessor I have worked for. With all of us being open to change, we are reaching for what is possible each year. A big thank you to my staff for helping me reaching what is possible
MAA is still planning, come August, to hold our Annual Conference. This year it will be held at Boyne Mountain Resort And Spa. We are looking at having some great education and fun. I think we all need it this year. The dates are August 8-11, 2021. So keep your fingers crossed.
All my best,
Stacey Kaake, President