A Business Plan for Standardized Assessors Parcels for Massachusetts
As proposed, MassGIS staff started the project by conducting a
series of “workshops” around the state. The workshops presented the
idea of standardized statewide assessor parcel mapping and its related
benefits. Approximately 215 people, most from municipal departments,
attended these events and provided useful insights. MassGIS also
retained consulting assistance for developing the business plan.
Working with the consultant, MassGIS staff conducted in-depth
interviews with representatives of three important stakeholder
communities: appraisers, assessors, and the state Department of
Revenue’s Bureau of Local Assessment. Results from the workshops and
interviews were incorporated into a draft of the business plan. The
plan also
included information concerning the costs and benefits, both anecdotal
and quantified, of developing statewide standardized parcel mapping.
The plan further summarizes requirements for successful project
implementation, identifies implementation risks, provides an
implementation plan, and identifies criteria for measuring success. A
draft of the plan was circulated for comment by stakeholders. To-date,
the key success of the plan has been the dialog it has enabled with the
Department of Revenue-Bureau of Local Assessment (DOR-BLA). The chief
of the DOR-BLA has indicated she is willing to support a key
recommendation of the plan which is having her agency recommend that
communities conform to the MassGIS’ digital parcel standard as the
“best practice” for assessor parcel mapping. Work on standardized
parcel mapping is already funded. However, this will be a multi-year
project; full funding is not guaranteed. Therefore, MassGIS views the
plan as key for supporting future funding requests needed to complete
the project.
Final Report -- Business Plan for Parcel Data
Interim Report -- Workshop Presentation(PDF 5.75 MB)
Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs - MassGIS
Contacts:
Neil MacGaffey, Assistant Director, Executive Office of Energy &
Environmental Affairs
617-626-1057
neil.macgaffey@state.ma.us
Christian Jacqz, Director, Executive Office of Energy &
Environmental Affairs
617-626-1056
christian.jacqz@state.ma.us
Link to
more information about the 50 States Initiative