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Assessment Matters by Valuebase.aiAuthor: Will Jarvis
Assessment Matters presented by Valuebase is a weekly show that delves into the world of real estate valuation and property assessment. Our expert guests share their insights on the latest trends and techniques in the field, and offer practical advice for professionals in the industry. Whether you're a seasoned appraiser or new to the field, you'll find valuable information and inspiration. From understanding mass appraisal methodologies to staying up-to-date on the latest technology, our podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of real estate valuation. Language: en Genres: Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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72: Mike Fouassier | Transparency, Equity, and the Case for Keeping Property Tax Local
Wednesday, 15 April, 2026
Join host Will Jarvis as he sits down with Mike Fouassier, Assessor for the Town of Ossining in Westchester County, New York, and former Director of Operations and Quality Assurance for New York City. Mike brings a unique "pracademic" perspective — holding a PhD focused on inequities in assessment systems — as they discuss why frequent reappraisals at full market value matter, how transparency and public education underpin the legitimacy of the property tax, and the role AI and geospatial tools are playing in modernizing assessment offices. The conversation also explores the talent pipeline challenge facing local government, the management differences between large and small jurisdictions, and Mike's advice for building technology that starts with the assessor's real problems.(00:01) Meet Mike Fouassier — his path from New York State to NYC to the Town of Ossining, and how an "accidental career" in assessment became a lifelong calling(02:25) The biggest inequities in property tax: assessment caps, rising costs of living, and why frequent reappraisals at 100% of full market value is Mike's top reform(05:36) Transparency and public education — why the legitimacy of the property tax depends on assessors meeting homeowners where they are, not just on grievance day(06:49) The case for the local property tax as the fairest tax: local buy-in, participatory governance, and why paying locally gives citizens a voice(11:56) Technology and AI in assessment — from NYC's 3D mapping portal to using AI to produce preliminary appraisals in a fraction of the time(14:52) Managing large vs. small offices: hiring, retention, budgets, and the talent pipeline challenge of getting young people to discover careers in assessment(17:25) Advice for gov-tech companies: start with the assessor's problems, not out-of-the-box solutions, and why hands-on, in-office partnerships matter(22:08) What Mike would tell his younger self — the larger world of assessment administration and how to find the Town of Ossining's equity portal
