NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

CITY OF FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Charter of the City of Fairfax, Virginia, and applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia, as amended, the Board of Equalization of Real Estate Assessments (Board) of the City of Fairfax, Virginia will meet as needed on  October 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, and 31 2024; November 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, and 27 2024; December 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 28, and 30, 2024 at City Hall in room 100, room 111, or substituted room for the purpose of hearing complaints and grievances of the property owners in connection with the reassessment of real estate in the City of Fairfax for tax year 2024.  Pursuant to the City of Fairfax Code, as amended, only those complaints filed in writing prior to July 1, 2024, or later dates as granted in specific cases, will be considered by the Board.

Meetings will be held in person, by video and/or audio means as determined by the City. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Department of Real Estate Assessments at 703 385-7840, or by email, at Realestate@fairfaxva.gov.

Board of Equalization of Real Estate Assessments

City of Fairfax

August 23, 2024

I. Meetings are Public

All meetings of the Board of Equalization of Real Estate Assessments (BOE) are public.

The BOE follows the Newly Revised Robert’s Rules of Order for small boards.   The BOE will convene in late summer or early fall to determine meeting dates and times and to discuss amendments and/or changes to the Rules and Procedures.   

 The BOE meets on an “as needed basis” normally beginning at 6 p.m. in the City of Fairfax City Hall Council Chambers room 100 or the Work Session room 111.  Each meeting is publicly advertised at least ten (10) days prior.

 The decisions of the BOE are summarized in minutes prepared by the Liaison and are part of the public record.

 Information provided and/or presented by the City of Fairfax Department of Real Estate Assessments regarding the income and expenses of income-producing properties are public only to the extent that they are discussed orally at BOE meetings; the memoranda and/or staff reports themselves are not part of the public record and will remain confidential and are excluded from Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA).

II. Procedures during Hearing

 Introduction of BOE, Appellant, City Representatives and Liaison.

 The Chair of the BOE shall notify all parties that the meeting is being recorded, this may be audio or by written note taking.

 The Chair of the BOE shall confirm that the Appellant is the property owner or authorized representative of the property. The Chair of the BOE will then swear in the Appellant as well as the City Representatives.  The Appellant will then be asked for their presentation which should not exceed 12 minutes.  The City’s presentation will follow also not to exceed 12 minutes. The Appellant will have a rebuttal which should not exceed 3 minutes. Followed by the City’s rebuttal also to not exceed 3 minutes.

 The BOE members will ask questions of either party.  The Chair of the BOE will declare the public hearing is closed, the BOE will begin their deliberations and vote.

 III. Evidence presented at Hearings

Neither the appellant nor the City Assessor shall present new written evidence at the hearing with the exception of photographs, site plans or plats or other materials which were previously provided to the BOE and appellant but did not reproduce sufficient detail to accurately represent the property.

IV. Non-Appearance of Appellants

 In the event of an unexpected non-appearance of an appellant, the BOE may hear the case based on the material in absentia, or the BOE may elect to postpone the case.

V. Non-Emergent Postponements of Cases

The BOE will exercise the normal discretion of such bodies in the cases of emergency-caused postponements. The BOE will make every effort to schedule cases at the appellant’s convenience.

VI. Decisions

Within ten (10) business days the BOE shall issue a written notice to the appealing taxpayer confirming the final decision.