| SPRING 2026 | 1 |
| FLORIDA CHAPTER OF THE IAAO | 1 |
| VOL. 38 ISSUE 2 | 1 |
| STAYING | 1 |
| APPRAISED | 1 |
| IAAO ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026 CALGARY | 1 |
| INSIDE THIS ISSUE | 1 |
| FCIAAO 38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026 | 1 |
| SPRING 2026 | 1 |
| STAYING | 1 |
| APPRAISED | 1 |
| PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE | 2 |
| 2025-2026 FCIAAO EXECUTIVE BOARD | 2 |
| WYNTA LOUGHREY RES, AAS, CFE | 2 |
| THE DATE | 2 |
| Save | 2 |
| 2026 IAAO Annual Conference | 2 |
| Oct 13-16, 2026 Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 2 |
| FCIAAO Membership News | 3 |
| Another great reason to become a FCIAAO member! | 3 |
| We’re excited to offer free quarterly webinars exclusively for our members. These webinars are designed to deliver timely insights, practical knowledge, and professional growth you can use right away, in addition to providing free continuing education credit. From industry updates to expert-led discussions, these sessions are our way of investing in you and your success. Join FCIAAO and enjoy valuable learning opportunities at no additional cost. It’s just one more benefit of being part of a strong, connected community. | 3 |
| Space is limited - don’t delay, register today! | 3 |
| STAYING | 3 |
| FCIAAO 38th Annual | 4 |
| April 27 to May 1, 2026 - Kissimmee, FL | 4 |
| IAAO Workshop 151: 15-HR National USPAP | 4 |
| Register | 4 |
| April 27-29, 2026 Member: $300 Non-Member: $375 Deadline to register: April 12, 2026 | 4 |
| 38th Annual Conference & Business Meeting | 4 |
| April 29-May 1, 2026 Member: $195 Non-Member: $255 Deadline to register: March 27, 2026 Late registration fee: $15 | 4 |
| Register | 4 |
| Hotel info | 4 |
| STAYING | 5 |
| 2026 ANNUAL | 6 |
| CONFERENCE | 6 |
| Preview | 6 |
| GENERAL SESSION Wednesday, April 29 | 6 |
| FCIAAO Tony Hodge Award Ceremony | 6 |
| 3:30 - 4:30 PM | 6 |
| Welcome Reception Wed, 4/29 @ 6:00 pm | 6 |
| 2026 ANNUAL | 7 |
| CONFERENCE | 7 |
| Preview (cont.) | 7 |
| Evening Festivities Wednesday, April 29 | 7 |
| 6:00 - 7:00 PM | 7 |
| Keep the night going! Hop on our shuttle to Disney Springs after the Welcome Reception & explore an evening of great food, live entertainment, & unique shops. | 7 |
| 7:00 - 11:00 PM | 7 |
| CONFERENCE GENERAL SESSION THE CITIZEN’S SEAT AT THE TABLE | 8 |
| Thurs 4/30 @ 7:00 pm | 8 |
| 2026 | 8 |
| Annual Business Banquet | 8 |
| DRESS to IMPRESS...NOT DISTRESS! | 8 |
| ~ FCIAAO Executive Board | 8 |
| TIRED OF THE MAP, THE COMPASS AND THE WEEKS IN THE FIELD? | 10 |
| STAYING | 10 |
| TRANSFORM YOUR APPRAISAL WORKFLOW WITH EAGLEVIEW! | 11 |
| Tired of manual appraisals? Wish you could streamline valuations and boost accuracy? | 11 |
| Join EagleView at the FCIAAO Conference for a dynamic lunch and learn where you'll discover how advanced aerial imagery, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data-driven insights are revolutionizing the property appraisal landscape! | 11 |
| Thursday, April 30th from 12:20-1:10 pm Secure your lunch by stopping by their booth for your ticket! | 11 |
| Learn how these cutting-edge technologies are empowering jurisdictions to: | 11 |
| Enhance Valuation Accuracy: Leverage high-resolution aerial imagery and intelligent analytics for more precise and defensible valuations. | 11 |
| Boost Operational Efficiency: Automate workflows and access critical property data faster to save valuable time and resources. | 11 |
| Defend Valuations Confidently: Back up your assessments with comprehensive, data-driven insights that are difficult to dispute. | 11 |
| Drive Measurable Results: Discover real-world examples of how other jurisdictions are successfully modernizing their appraisal processes and achieving significant improvements. | 11 |
| Get ready to gain actionable insights you can apply immediately to improve your agency's performance! | 11 |
| SPRING 2026 | 11 |
| STAYING | 11 |
| APPRAISED | 11 |
| 2026 | 14 |
| ANNUAL CONFERENCE | 14 |
| Hotel Map | 14 |
| Lobby/Check-In | 14 |
| On-Site Restaurants | 14 |
| STAYING | 14 |
| STAYING | 14 |
| FLGISA: SMALL COST, BIG BENEFITS FOR FLORIDA GOVERNMENT IT | 16 |
| BRIAN LOUGHREY, CFE SARASOTA COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY | 16 |
| SPRING 2026 | 16 |
| STAYING | 16 |
| APPRAISED | 16 |
| Professional | 17 |
| Designation | 17 |
| News | 17 |
| I’m super excited at the opportunity for us to gather at the 2026 FCIAAO Annual Conference in Kissimmee and celebrate the continued success of the Florida Chapter and the new IAAO professional designees. | 17 |
| Over the past few weeks, I have been notifying chapter members who are eligible to receive the Tony Hodge Educational Award. If you recently earned your IAAO designation and have not been contacted about the award, please email tdrake@ccpao.com. Don’t miss out on being recognized as a designated assessment professional! | 17 |
| The FCIAAO Procedural Rules specify eligibility of the award, as follows: | 17 |
| TRACY DRAKE, CFA CAE, ASA, RES, AAS | 17 |
| Did You Know? | 17 |
| STAYING | 17 |
| STAYING | 18 |
| LEGISLATIVE UPDATE | 19 |
| Proposed Property Tax Bills | 19 |
| The 2026 Florida Legislative Session includes several proposals that could significantly change the property tax system, particularly for homestead properties and assessment limitations. Many of the bills propose constitutional amendments, meaning they would require 60% voter approval if passed by the Legislature. The Legislature is debating major structural changes to property taxes, including proposals that could eventually eliminate many local property taxes for homesteads entirely. This brings forth key concerns for loss of local government revenue, funding for public safety and infrastructure and shifting tax burden to sales taxes or non-homestead properties. | 19 |
| Bill: HJR 201 – Elimination of Non‑school Property Tax for Homesteads Key Concept - Would exempt homestead property from all ad valorem taxes except school district levies. Local government taxes (county, municipal, special districts) would no longer apply to homesteads. Impact - Major reduction in property tax bills for homestead owners. Significant revenue loss for counties and cities. Would require constitutional amendment approval. Status - It has NOT moved to a House floor vote and is essentially stalled. In other words, the bill cleared early committees but has not advanced further in the House calendar. | 19 |
| Bill: HJR 203 – Phased Out Elimination of Non‑School Property Tax for Homesteads Key Concept -Gradually increases the homestead exemption for non-school taxes by $100,000 annually for 10 years. Could begin 2027 if approved by voters. Impact - Property tax bills for homeowners could be cut roughly in half or more. Local governments could lose billions in revenue annually. Status - It passed the Florida House on 2/19/2026 (80-30 vote) Sent to Senate appropriation committee but no Senate vote yet. | 19 |
| Bill: HJR 205 – Elimination of Non‑School Property Tax for Homesteads for Persons 65+ Key Concept - Homestead owners age 65 or older would be exempt from all property taxes except school taxes. Impact - Targets relief for retirees on fixed incomes and Could substantially reduce tax revenue in retiree-heavy counties. Status - This bill is active but hasn’t yet been voted by either chamber as it remains one of several property – tax reform joint resolutions and under consideration in Tallahassee this session. | 19 |
| Bill: HJR 207 – Assessed Home Value Homestead Exemption Key Concept - Adds a 25% exemption on the remaining assessed value after current exemptions (non-school taxes). Impact - Would reduce taxable value without eliminating taxes entirely. Creates a percentage-based exemption instead of flat dollar exemptions. Status - Like many of the 2026 property tax constitutional amendments it is active but has not passed either chamber. | 19 |
| STAYING | 19 |
| LEGISLATIVE UPDATE | 20 |
| Continued | 20 |
| Bill: HJR 211 – Accrued Save‑Our‑Homes Benefit Key Concept - Increases the maximum transferable Save-Our-Homes benefit to a new homestead. Impact - Greater portability when homeowners move. Encourages mobility among long-time homeowners. Status - Like many of the 2026 property tax constitutional amendments it is active but has not passed either chamber. | 20 |
| Bill: HJR 209 – Property Insurance Relief Homestead Exemption Key Concept - Adds $200,000 additional exemption for homesteads with property insurance. Impact - Designed as relief tied to Florida’s insurance crisis. Could significantly lower taxable value on insured properties. Status - Has advanced past early committee hurdles in the House and is positioned for floor debate, but it has not yet been passed by the full Legislature and therefore is not yet assured to go to the November 2026 ballot. | 20 |
| Bill: SB 276 – Homestead Property Tax Benefits for Long‑Term Owners Key Concept - Allows long-term homestead properties to be assessed below just value after extended ownership. Impact - Additional protections for long-term residents and Could further widen the gap between market value and assessed value. Status - Still in committee review. | 20 |
| Bottom Line: The 2026 session may represent the largest potential shift in Florida’s property tax system since Save-Our-Homes (1992). Many proposals would require constitutional amendments and voter approval in November 2026, with potential implementation beginning January 1, 2027. | 20 |
| STAYING | 20 |
| APPRAISED | 20 |
| MEMBER | 21 |
| spotlight | 21 |
| Name: Vanessa Baffour- Singletary | 21 |
| County: Duval County | 21 |
| What do you do for the Property Appraiser? I serve as the Communications and Public Relations Director for the Duval County Property Appraiser’s Office. My role focuses on internal culture building and external community engagement. I help support our Property Appraiser’s vision of building trust and transparency with our community. In simple terms, I help make sure people understand what we do, why we do it, and that we’re doing it with integrity… and occasionally with a little creativity. | 21 |
| What do you like most about your job? I love the versatility. One day I’m at a community fair engaging with taxpayers, answering questions, and representing the office. The next day I’m wearing a crayon costume to match the theme of our all-staff meeting. It keeps me humble and colorful. No two days look the same, and I thrive in that energy. | 21 |
| What is the best career advice you have been given? Show up every day committed to being a better version of yourself than you were yesterday. Growth compounds. Also, be willing to wear the crayon costume when necessary. You never know who’s watching and being inspired by your willingness to show up fully. | 21 |
| Why did you join FCIAAO? I joined because I value professional growth and collaboration. Being part of an organization that prioritizes excellence, education, and innovation in our field is important to me. I want to learn from people who are doing this work at a high level and contribute where I can. | 21 |
| What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I have four kids under the age of four at home. Yes, you read that correctly. A one-year-old, two-year-old twins, and a four-year-old. My house is essentially a live-action obstacle course with snacks. They keep me on my toes, strengthen my immune system during cold and flu season, and remind me daily that leadership training truly starts at home. | 21 |
| Please describe the most memorable session, discussion, or experience you had at the 2025 FCIAAO Annual Conference in Daytona. Cregg Dalton’s leadership session stood out to me. What impressed me most wasn’t just the content, but how he delivered it. He truly embodied what he was teaching. He was respectful, thought-provoking, and made complex ideas feel digestible. It takes real skill to captivate a room full of professionals and leave them inspired, encouraged, and energized. That session challenged me to grow as a leader in whatever space I’m in. | 21 |
| Where was your best vacation ever? Cancun, Mexico in 2025 with my husband. Sunshine, clear water, and the rare luxury of finishing a meal without a child’s hand in my plate. | 21 |
| How long have you been employed by the Property Appraiser? I started in 2023 and will hit my three-year mark this coming July. | 21 |
| SPRING 2026 | 21 |
| STAYING | 21 |
| APPRAISED | 21 |
| FCIAAO | 23 |
| MEMBER BENEFITS | 23 |
| Networking Breakfast | 23 |
| Friday, May 1 7:30 -9:00 am | 23 |
| Sponsored by: | 23 |
| STAYING | 23 |
| STAYING | 23 |
| Interested in Serving on the Board? Your expertise, our mission, one powerful impact! | 25 |
| Join us for Board Member Opportunities ~ General Session ~ Wed, 4/29 @ 5:00 pm | 25 |
| STAYING | 25 |
| SPOTLIGHT | 26 |
| County | 26 |
| SANTA ROSA COUNTY | 26 |
| BY THE NUMBERS | 26 |
| REAL PROPERTY PARCELS | 26 |
| 121,438 | 26 |
| TANGIBLE ACCOUNTS | 26 |
| 8,235 | 26 |
| TOTAL JUST VALUE | 26 |
| $32.6 BILLION | 26 |
| TOTAL TAXABLE VALUE | 26 |
| $19.1 BILLION | 26 |
| $149,400 | 26 |
| EMPLOYEES | 26 |
| GREG BROWN II, CFA PROPERTY APPRAISER | 26 |
| COUNTY SPOTLIGHT | 27 |
| Continued | 27 |
| SANTA ROSA COUNTY | 27 |
| SPRING 2026 | 27 |
| STAYING | 27 |
| APPRAISED | 27 |
| STAYING | 28 |
| SAGE | 29 |
| advice | 29 |
| Communicating Clearly About HJR 203 | 29 |
| Factual, Neutral Guidance for Public‑Facing Staff | 29 |
| SAGE SULLIVAN DUVAL COUNTY | 29 |
| STAYING | 29 |
| SAGE | 30 |
| advice | 30 |
| Continued | 30 |
| Model Neutral HJR 203 Q&A for Public‑Facing Staff : (cont.) | 30 |
| Communication: Best Practices for Staff | 30 |
| Do: | 30 |
| Avoid: | 30 |
| Have a tip or a success story? If you’ve used these resources to solve a tough issue, share it! I’d love to feature real-world wins in the next Sage Advice. After all, the best way to navigate this maze is together. | 30 |
| SPRING 2026 | 30 |
| STAYING | 30 |
| APPRAISED | 30 |
| Property Appraisers’s | 31 |
| ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA | 31 |
| PAUL L POLK, CFA, AAS, RES CHARLOTTE COUNTY PA | 31 |
| SPRING 2026 | 31 |
| STAYING | 31 |
| APPRAISED | 31 |
| STAYING | 32 |
| CALENDAR | 33 |
| Education | 33 |
| DOR Link | 33 |
| DOR Link | 33 |
| DOR Link | 33 |
| DOR Link | 33 |
| Model (Valuation Model) A mathematical formula or set of rules used to estimate value for many properties at once. Calibration Adjusting the model so that estimated values reflect the local real estate market. | 33 |
| MASS APPRAISAL | 33 |
| Terminolgy 101 | 33 |
| OPPORTUNITIES | 34 |
| JOB | 34 |
| COUNTY | 34 |
| JOB | 34 |
| COUNTY | 34 |
| JOB | 34 |
| BREVARD | 34 |
| GIS Cadastral Mapper Personal Property Appraiser Trainee | 34 |
| MIAMI- DADE | 34 |
| VARIOUS | 34 |
| CHARLOTTE | 34 |
| VARIOUS | 34 |
| Field Appraiser I | 34 |
| COLLIER | 34 |
| VARIOUS | 34 |
| OSCEOLA | 34 |
| Customer Service Rep Commercial Appraiser | 34 |
| INDIAN RIVER | 34 |
| Land Appraiser I, II and III | 34 |
| PALM BEACH | 34 |
| Customer Service Rep | 34 |
| LAKE | 34 |
| VARIOUS | 34 |
| POLK | 34 |
| Residential Appraiser | 34 |
| LEE | 34 |
| Quality Control Auditor Field Trainer | 34 |
| SARASOTA | 34 |
| Residential Val Supervisor Exemption Specialist Appeals Specialist | 34 |
| MARTIN | 34 |
| Residential Appraiser | 34 |
| STAYING | 34 |
| A publication by the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers www.fciaao.org *2026 | 35 |