Title
Vote to approve an agreement with Pictometry International Corporation for aerial photography for $139,974.42 each year for six years
Abstract
Introduction & Background: Pictometry is the name of an aerial image capture process that produces imagery showing all four sides of buildings and locations on the ground. Pictometry International Corp. contracts with assessment jurisdictions all around the country and world. They will fly the jurisdiction and take oblique (45-degree angle) imagery of all the parcels, which enables its customers to view all four sides of structures from a web-based application. This greatly enhances the appraiser’s capability to easily view all sides of structures from their office to answer taxpayer questions, prevent field visits in many situations, and perform desktop appraisal reviews and auditing of property characteristics. The International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) lists this in their Standard on Mass Appraisal of Real Property as an “Alternative to Periodic On-site Inspections”. The Chatham County Tax Office has been utilizing Pictometry for several years and this system is integrated with our GIS system and DEVNET, the tax software program. The Tax Office has been very pleased with the execution of the contract and product deliverables in the past and would like to renew the contract.
Discussion & Analysis: Examples of how oblique and recent aerial photography benefit the Tax Office:
• Reduce field checks to determine if we have the correct data and a reasonable measurement on a structure when questioned
• Verify listings/structures when we do not have access to the property
• Locate/list improvements that may not be visible from traditional ortho imagery
• Measure building heights
• Measure less significant buildings without a field check to sound value structures
• Facilitate PUV reviews by measuring the size of fields and woodland to ensure compliance, and process new applications
• Enables staff to work assessment appeals more efficiently from the office by having a four-sided view of the structure to make informed decisions on the subject property compared to comparable sales
• Assist other agencies and departments (public safety agencies, board of elections, school districts, parks and recreation, inspections, planning, etc.)
• If flown close to the first of the year, it can help verify the status of new construction as of January 1
• Up to date digital imaging will allow the county to supplement field reviews and re-inspections during a county wide reappraisal or field audits
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: N/A
Budgetary Impact: The agreement is $139,974.42 each year for six years.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve an agreement with Pictometry International Corporation for aerial photography for $139,974.42 each year for six years.