What role do public hours of the assessor's office serve?

Public hours of the assessor's office are designed to provide taxpayers with the opportunity to access important information related to property assessments and to discuss any concerns they might have. This access fosters transparency and allows taxpayers to engage directly with the assessor or staff regarding their property values, exemptions, or any inquiries about the assessment process.

By maintaining regular public hours, the assessor's office encourages community involvement and helps to demystify the assessment process for property owners. This interaction is vital because it enables the assessor to address questions, clarify doubts, and resolve issues that taxpayers may find confusing. Such open lines of communication can lead to greater trust and understanding between taxpayers and the assessor's office, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and effective assessment process.

In contrast, limiting access to information or using hours only for property valuations would not promote the intended engagement with the community, nor would it support the transparency that public hours aim to provide. Enhancing efficiency in property assessments is a benefit that may arise from effective public engagement, but it is not the primary purpose of having set public hours.