Vermont property owners not satisfied with the assessed value of their properties may request a grievance hearing with the board of listers and may further appeal the listers’ decision to the town’s Board of Civil Authority (BCA). This training reviews the fundamental concepts of property tax assessment as well as the legal requirements and best practices for lister grievance and BCA appeal hearings. An interactive mock BCA hearing provides experiential learning.
This training is for selectboard members, listers, assessors, justices of the peace, town treasurers, and town clerks. Come to learn how to conduct effective property tax assessment grievance and appeal hearings. Participants will have many opportunities to ask questions, discuss common problems, share success stories, and learn from each other’s experiences. Municipalities that are conducting property tax reappraisals and anticipate a large number of appeals, as well as non-appraising towns, are encouraged to attend as a group. 

NOTE: when registering please choose In-Person or Virtual. Everyone will receive a Zoom link that can be used if, for any reason, you are unable to attend in-person. In-person registration will end Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Agenda
9:00 - 9:05 AM – Welcome
9:05 - 9:40 AM – Fair Market Value Equalization Overview
9:45 - 10:45 AM – Lister Responsibilities and the Grievances
10:45 - 10:55 AM – Break 
10:55 AM - 12:00 PM –  Effective BCA Property Tax Assessment Appeal Hearings
12:00 - 1:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 PM – Mock BCA Hearing

Fair Market Value and Equalization Overview 
This session will review the central concepts of property assessments, including fair market value and equalization, with staff from the Vermont Department of Taxes, Division of Property Valuation and Review (PVR). 
Speaker(s): PVR staff TBD 

Lister Responsibilities and the Grievance Process 
This session addresses the statutory process and deadlines for lister grievance hearings, the main steps of the grievance process, and the role of professional appraisers that may be involved. 
Speaker(s): Susan Senning, Staff Attorney II, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center  

Effective BCA Property Tax Assessment Appeal Hearings 
This session will review the legal and practical parameters within which the BCA must operate and how to conduct a fair and impartial hearing – including deadlines, the rules governing participation, due process rights, managing evidence, and requirements for decision making.  
Speaker(s): Carl Andeer, Staff Attorney II, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center 

Mock BCA Hearing 
During this interactive session, attendees see legal requirements and best practices in action and have the opportunity for real-time learning. A pre-recorded mock BCA hearing is available to review in advance. 
Facilitators: VLCT Municipal Assistance Center and PVR Staff 

In-Person Location and  Details 
Capitol Plaza Hotel
100 State St 
Montpelier, VT 05602
802.223.5252

Complimentary parking for all of your attendees is offered in the Capitol Plaza parking lot on a space available basis. Use Taylor Bridge to access the lot. Parking tickets are available at the gates at both entrances to our parking lot. Conference guests must bring their ticket inside to be validated for free parking, otherwise standard parking fees will apply.