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The International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) is pleased to announce that the Office of the Santa Fe County Assessor in Santa Fe, N.M., is the recipient of the 2016 Public Information Program Award. Assessor Gus Martinez has been a member of IAAO since 2012, and many office staff are also IAAO members or complete IAAO courses.

The Public Information Program Award recognizes an assessment jurisdiction that has developed and implemented an effective way to disseminate information about the assessment process. The Office of the Santa Fe County Assessor received this award for how well they connect with the community online and in-person to ensure all constituents have easy access to information.

The office has a new website (www.santafecountynm.gov/assessor) with a live chat feature averaging 35 chats per day with property owners. This chat feature is not common for assessment office websites and is a model for others. The site also has helpful instructional videos and a parcel map search tool putting a large amount of information at a person’s fingertips. The office is active on social media sharing assessment processes and congratulating staff who complete IAAO education in order to show what the office brings to the community and the competency of those in these assessment jobs. In addition, they hold meetings around the county and run ads with local media to increase understanding of what the office does.
Excellent customer service is a priority and feedback shows an average score of 99 percent positive. The office regularly get comments like “all government sites should operate this way” or “you are making a stressful experience enjoyable” and that is something every jurisdiction should strive to hear. It is this commitment to serving people well that helped this office win the 2016 IAAO Public Information Program Award.

This prestigious award was presented during the Awards and Recognition Ceremony at IAAO’s 82nd Annual International Conference on Assessment Administration held Aug. 28-31, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. IAAO’s Awards Program recognizes exceptional achievements in various areas of the valuation profession. Awards are given in over 20 categories ranging from distinguished jurisdictional programs to research on property appraisal and tax policy.

Founded in 1934, IAAO sets the standards for best practices in mass appraisal and property tax administration. IAAO currently serves more than 7,000 members globally with the world’s premiere assessment library, professional designations, leading industry publications and other educational resources. IAAO’s mission is to promote excellence in property appraisal, assessment administration and property tax policy through innovative professional development, education, research and technical assistance.

A photo from the 2016 Awards Program can be made available via email upon request.
Visit www.iaao.org or contact the association at info@iaao.org or 816-701-8100 for more information on IAAO, Conference or the Awards Program.