La Paz County approves IGA with State Board of Equalization for hearing officer services

The La Paz County Board of Supervisors voted March 16 to enter an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the State Board of Equalization to provide hearing officer services for valuation appeals.

Laurie Thornberry, Clerk of the Board, described the arrangement and told supervisors the state hearing officers would provide subject-matter expertise, handle archiving and public records, offer virtual appearance options for small dockets, and help ensure timely resolution and compliance with state requirements. "So, we'll get consistency with the state if we decide to utilize them," she said.

The chair said the county has previously experienced difficulties scheduling independent hearing officers and recounted a recent instance when the local hearing process was disrupted; he described past hearings as "embarrassing" and said the IGA would address those service gaps. The board voted to approve the annual IGA; the motion carried by voice vote.

The IGA is intended to be annual and to reduce county administrative burden for valuation appeal hearings. No contract cost, vendor name beyond the State Board of Equalization, or projected caseload numbers were provided during the public discussion.