Assessment Appeals Board sets widespread continuances, asks for data provisos and waivers

The Ventura County Assessment Appeals Board on May 4 approved a string of continuances for many appeals, most at the assessor’s request to allow time for document exchange and appraisal work. Because the county’s June calendars were full the board scheduled the bulk of contested matters for October 5 or October 19, 2026.

Agents and applicants told the board they were still gathering financial statements, purchase contracts, appraisals and other records. The assessor’s office described repeated prior 441 D information requests (referred to in the hearing as "441 D" or "four‑four‑one D") and asked for specific data provisos — typically 15, 30 or 45 days before the rescheduled hearing — so staff would have time to review submissions. Board members and the clerk regularly requested two‑year waivers when continuances would move matters past statutory deadlines.

Examples included: North Shore Healthcare appeals (continuance to Oct. 5, 2026 with a 15‑day proviso after the assessor said required documents were contested), a Chevron gas‑station appeal (agent said proprietary supply or franchise agreements would not be shared; board continued to Oct. 5 with a 15‑day proviso), and multiple portfolio and commercial matters represented by tax‑advisor firms that were continued to October with 45‑day provisos. Several applicants agreed to sign two‑year waivers; in other cases the clerk noted an applicant was unwilling to sign a waiver and the board continued without it when the statutory deadline was not immediately endangered.

The board also vacated a denial entered earlier in the meeting for lack of appearance after counsel logged in to Zoom and explained technical issues; that matter will be withdrawn in writing per counsel’s representation.

Throughout the session the assessor noted that when applicants decline to provide required documents the office may issue subpoenas after a data proviso period lapses. The board repeatedly emphasized the need for timely email submission of documents to the assessor’s general appeals inbox to ensure assigned appraisers receive materials.

Most continuance motions carried without recorded objections. The board recessed briefly and then returned to consider a subpoena request for the Amazon Fresh lease (which it approved). The meeting adjourned at 11:16 a.m.