Statement - July/August 2002

44th Institute on Property Taxation
Joint Annual Conference Set for October 14-15, 2002

The Joint Conference Pre-Registration Form is a PDF file.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you will need to download the latest version to view and print this file.

The latest in property tax laws and issues will be the main topics of the 44th Institute on Property Taxation held in conjunction with the Comptroller's Property Tax Division 24th Annual Conference for tax professionals and taxpayers. The conference is the joint effort of the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) School of Public Affairs, the State Comptroller's Property Tax Division, and property tax associations.
The conference is Monday and Tuesday, October 14 and 15, at the Thompson Conference Center on the University of Texas campus at Red River and Dean Keeton (26th) Streets in Austin. The conference dates were selected for available meeting and hotel facilities. All conference sessions and workshops will be held in the Thompson Conference Center.
The $125 registration fee (a slight increase above prior years) covers the cost of the rooms for the joint conference general sessions and workshops, refreshments, and handouts. Please send the fee with the registration form to the Office of Conference and Training at the LBJ School at the address listed on the registration form.
Time information
Registration will be in the lobby of the Thompson Conference Center between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning, October 14. General sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday and 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15. Workshop sessions will be from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday.
Hotel arrangements
The Radisson Hotel and Suites Austin at 111 Caesar Chavez has set aside a room block for conference participants at the preferential room rate of $80 (single or double). The hotel is located at the intersection of Congress and Caesar Chavez by Town Lake. The hotel’s telephone number is (512) 478-9611.
The special rate will be offered until September 18, or until the room block is filled. Please tell the reservation clerk that you are a program participant to obtain the special rate.
Special assistance
The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs staff wants to assist people with special needs. Please indicate on the registration form if a person requires assistance. The staff asks for notice by October 1.
Refund policy
If pre-registered but unable to attend, a person is entitled to a full refund if the LBJ School receives cancellation notice at least three working days before the conference. The refund must be requested in writing, stating the social security/tax I.D. number of the refund recipient. Refunds will be processed after the completion of the conference. Partial refunds or fee payments cannot be accepted or processed. There will be no refunds for late cancellations and no-shows. The LBJ School cannot be responsible for any expenses incurred before a person received a confirmation of registration from the LBJ School office.
Conference schedule
The conference schedule highlights the sessions and workshops for each day. Topics will be of interest to appraisal districts, taxing units, taxpayers, and appraisal review board members.

44th Institute on Property Taxation
Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Division 24th Annual Conference
October 14-15, 2002
Thompson Conference Center, The University of Texas at Austin

Monday, October 14, 2002

7:30 a.m. Registration
Thompson Conference Center Lobby

8:30 a.m. Welcome & Introduction
Room 1.110

General Sessions

8:45 a.m School Finance Report – What’s the Fix?
The speakers will highlight the special committee’s report to the Legislature and how it will impact the property tax system.

9:30 a.m Ethics – Protecting Your Reputation.
A look at ethics as it relates to an individual and to the workplace, and how it can impact the public’s perception about your work.

10:15 a.m. Break

10:35 a.m. Values After Enron – What’s Happening to Those Properties?
This session will look at the downfall of Enron and the trickle affect on property values in Harris County and around the state.

11:15 a.m. In Here We Have Mold.
This session will address how to handle properties infected with mold for the current and future tax years.

12:00 noon Lunch on your own

1:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshops I
1. Use of Ratio Studies in Local Districts. This workshop will address how local appraisers should use ratio studies to check their appraisals and cover issues for implementing an effective ratio study.
2. Rural Land Outlook. What’s happening with rural acreage in Texas? This workshop is an update on the current status and projected future for rural land.
3. Internet Security. Do you have a system in place in your county for ensuring that your computers are secure? What precautions are necessary to protect privacy and immunity from outside tampering? Practical steps can be taken to secure your workplace.
4. Collection Forum: Open Discussion of Collection Issues. This question and answer session will review current practices -- including double payments, automatic refunds, erroneous payments -- and see about future changes in collections.
5. HB 1200’s Economic Development and Paying School Taxes. This workshop explains how the tax credit works for this new provision and how school tax collectors will administer.

3:00 Break

3:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshops II
1. Implementing New Wildlife Management Standards. Speakers will review the new standards and address questions on their implementation.
2. Mobile Homes: Collection Changes Expected for 2002 and Forward. This workshop will look at questions & answer about how the 2001 law is working and any changes to be requested for 2003.
3. Comptroller's Property Value Study & Appeals. Comptroller staff will respond to questions about the study, current issues, and possible future changes;
4. Scheduling Models and How to Set Hearing Times. This workshop will inspect various plans used by appraisal review boards in effective and efficient scheduling of hearings for property owners with the best flexibility and meeting deadlines for both small and large counties.
5. Update from the Board of Tax Professional Examiners. The agency’s executive director will review what to expect from the state licensing board for tax appraisers, assessors, and collectors.

Tuesday, October 15, 2002

General Sessions

8:45 a.m. Humor in the Workplace. One of the key ingredients to relieving stress is humor. How can you inject more humor into your work day and encourage the work force to lighten up when tense situations arise? This session will offer ideas on using humor to improve the atmosphere in your office.

10:00 a.m. Break

10:20 a.m. Inventory Exemption – How will the Texas Legislature Implement the New Constitutional Amendment? This session will look at the constitutional amendment passed November, 2001 and how the Texas Legislature may or may not implement and the cost to taxing units.

11:00 a.m. What to Expect from the 78th Texas Legislative Session. These speakers will look at what main issues, and other interesting items, that the Texas Legislature will address in the 2003 legislative session.

12:15 p.m. Adjourn

Monday, October 14, 2002
7:30 a.m.	Registration Thompson Conference Center Lobby
8:30 a.m.	Welcome & Introduction Room 1.110
General Sessions
8:45 a.m	School Finance Report – What’s the Fix? The speakers will highlight the special committee’s report to the Legislature and how it will impact the property tax system.
9:30 a.m	Ethics – Protecting Your Reputation. A look at ethics as it relates to an individual and to the workplace, and how it can impact the public’s perception about your work.
10:15 a.m.	Break
10:35 a.m.	Values After Enron – What’s Happening to Those Properties? This session will look at the downfall of Enron and the trickle affect on property values in Harris County and around the state.
11:15 a.m.	In Here We Have Mold. This session will address how to handle properties infected with mold for the current and future tax years.
12:00 noon	Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m.	Concurrent Workshops I 1. Use of Ratio Studies in Local Districts. This workshop will address how local appraisers should use ratio studies to check their appraisals and cover issues for implementing an effective ratio study. 2. Rural Land Outlook. What’s happening with rural acreage in Texas? This workshop is an update on the current status and projected future for rural land. 3. Internet Security. Do you have a system in place in your county for ensuring that your computers are secure? What precautions are necessary to protect privacy and immunity from outside tampering? Practical steps can be taken to secure your workplace. 4. Collection Forum: Open Discussion of Collection Issues. This question and answer session will review current practices -- including double payments, automatic refunds, erroneous payments -- and see about future changes in collections. 5. HB 1200’s Economic Development and Paying School Taxes. This workshop explains how the tax credit works for this new provision and how school tax collectors will administer.
3:00	Break
3:30 p.m.	Concurrent Workshops II 1. Implementing New Wildlife Management Standards. Speakers will review the new standards and address questions on their implementation. 2. Mobile Homes: Collection Changes Expected for 2002 and Forward. This workshop will look at questions & answer about how the 2001 law is working and any changes to be requested for 2003. 3. Comptroller's Property Value Study & Appeals. Comptroller staff will respond to questions about the study, current issues, and possible future changes; 4. Scheduling Models and How to Set Hearing Times. This workshop will inspect various plans used by appraisal review boards in effective and efficient scheduling of hearings for property owners with the best flexibility and meeting deadlines for both small and large counties. 5. Update from the Board of Tax Professional Examiners. The agency’s executive director will review what to expect from the state licensing board for tax appraisers, assessors, and collectors.
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
General Sessions
8:45 a.m.	Humor in the Workplace. One of the key ingredients to relieving stress is humor. How can you inject more humor into your work day and encourage the work force to lighten up when tense situations arise? This session will offer ideas on using humor to improve the atmosphere in your office.
10:00 a.m.	Break
10:20 a.m.	Inventory Exemption – How will the Texas Legislature Implement the New Constitutional Amendment? This session will look at the constitutional amendment passed November, 2001 and how the Texas Legislature may or may not implement and the cost to taxing units.
11:00 a.m.	What to Expect from the 78th Texas Legislative Session. These speakers will look at what main issues, and other interesting items, that the Texas Legislature will address in the 2003 legislative session.
12:15 p.m.	Adjourn