Section 12D-9.007 - Role of the Clerk of the Value Adjustment Board(1) It is the board clerk's responsibility to verify through board legal counsel that the value adjustment board meets all of the requirements for the organizational meeting before the board or special magistrates hold hearings. If the board clerk determines that any of the requirements were not met, he or she shall contact the board legal counsel or the chair of the board regarding such deficiencies and cancel any scheduled hearings until such time as the requirements are met.(2) The board clerk shall make petition forms available to the public upon request.(3) The board clerk shall receive and acknowledge completed petitions and promptly furnish a copy of all completed and timely filed petitions to the property appraiser or tax collector. Alternatively, the property appraiser or the tax collector may obtain the relevant information from the board clerk electronically.(4) The board clerk shall prepare a schedule of appearances before the board based on petitions timely filed with him or her. If the petitioner has indicated on the petition an estimate of the amount of time he or she will need to present and argue the petition, the board clerk must take this estimate into consideration when scheduling the hearing.(5) No less than 25 calendar days prior to the day of the petitioner's scheduled appearance before the board, the board clerk must notify the petitioner of the date and time scheduled for the appearance. The board clerk shall simultaneously notify the property appraiser or tax collector.(6) If an incomplete petition, which includes a petition not accompanied by the required filing fee, is received within the time required, the board clerk shall notify the petitioner and give the petitioner an opportunity to complete the petition within 10 calendar days from the date notification is mailed. Such petition shall be timely if completed and filed, including payment of the fee if previously unpaid within the time frame provided in the board clerk's notice of incomplete petition.(7) In counties with a population of more than 75, 000, the board clerk shall provide notification annually to qualified individuals or their professional associations of opportunities to serve as special magistrates.(8) The board clerk shall ensure public notice of and access to all hearings. Such notice shall contain a general description of the locations, dates, and times hearings are being scheduled. This notice requirement may be satisfied by making such notice available on the board clerk's website. Hearings must be conducted in facilities that are clearly identified for such purpose and are freely accessible to the public while hearings are being conducted. The board clerk shall assure proper signage to identify such facilities.(9) The board clerk shall schedule hearings to allow sufficient time for evidence to be presented and considered and to allow for hearings to begin at their scheduled time. The board clerk shall advise the chair of the board if the board's tentative schedule for holding hearings is insufficient to allow for proper scheduling.(10) The board clerk shall timely notify the parties of the decisions of the board so that such decisions shall be issued within 20 calendar days of the last day the board is in session pursuant to Section 194.034, F.S., and shall otherwise notify the property appraiser or tax collector of such decision. Notification of the petitioner must be by first class mail or by electronic means as set forth in Section 194.034(2) or 192.048, F.S. In counties using special magistrates, the board clerk shall also make available to both parties as soon as practicable a copy of the recommended decision of the special magistrate by mail or electronic means. No party shall have access to decisions prior to any other party.(11) After the value adjustment board has decided all petitions, complaints, appeals and disputes, the board clerk shall make public notice of the findings and results of the board in the manner prescribed in Section 194.037, F.S., and by the department.(12) The board clerk is the official record keeper for the board and shall maintain a record of the proceedings which shall consist of:(b) A verbatim record of any hearing;(c) All tangible exhibits and documentary evidence presented;(d) Any meeting minutes; and,(e) Any other documents or materials presented on the record by the parties or by the board or special magistrate. The record shall be maintained for four years after the final decision has been rendered by the board, if no appeal is filed in circuit court or for five years if an appeal is filed, or, if requested by one of the parties, until the final disposition of any subsequent judicial proceeding relating to the property.
(13) The board clerk shall make available to the public copies of all additional internal operating procedures and forms of the board or special magistrates described in Rule 12D-9.005, F.A.C., and shall post any such procedures and forms on the board clerk's website, if any. Making materials available on a website is sufficient; however, provisions shall be made for persons that have hardship. Such materials shall be consistent with Department rules and forms.(14) The board clerk shall provide notification of appeals or value adjustment board petitions taken with respect to property located within a municipality to the chief executive officer of each municipality as provided in Section 193.116, F.S. The board clerk shall also publish any notice required by Section 196.194, F.S.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 12D-9.007
Rulemaking Authority 194.011(5), 194.034(1), 195.027(1), 213.06(1) FS. Law Implemented 192.048, 194.011, 194.013, 194.015, 194.032, 194.034, 194.035, 194.036, 195.022 FS.
New 3-30-10, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 106, June 1, 2016 effective 6/14/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 43, Number 040, February 28, 2017 effective 3/13/2017, Amended by Florida Register Volume 43, Number 173, September 6, 2017 effective 9/19/2017.New 3-30-10, Amended 6-14-16, 3-13-17, 9-19-17.