At the recent MACo Summer Conference, the Budget and Finance Officers Affiliate hosted new leadership from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The meeting allowed county finance officials to engage directly with SDAT’s new leadership team and discuss several policy issues to ensure that the assessment and taxation processes are as transparent and efficient as possible.
The transition in SDAT’s leadership brings a fresh perspective to the department, particularly in its collaboration with county governments. The new leadership team, spearheaded by Director Dan Phillips and Deputy Director Bob Yaeger, committed to fostering stronger partnerships with county finance officers, emphasizing their commitment to transparency, accountability, and open communication.
Throughout the meeting, there was a clear emphasis on collaboration between SDAT and county finance officers. The new leadership expressed their openness to feedback and desire to work with counties to address challenges and implement best practices. County finance officers, in turn, voiced their appreciation for this collaborative approach and their willingness to engage in ongoing dialogue with SDAT.
The property tax is the largest source of local revenue for Maryland’s county governments. Counties rely on this revenue to fund schools, public safety, infrastructure, public health, and other essential services.
SDAT is responsible for assessing property in Maryland. Assessments conducted by the State, rather than the local governments, help assure taxpayers that the assessing body provides objective, unbiased analysis.
Maryland divides more than two million property accounts into three groups, each appraised by SDAT once every three years. There are 24 local state assessment offices, one in each county and one in Baltimore City.
More about MACo’s Summer Conference:
