Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers
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2024 MAAO Summer Seminars
Thursday, May 23, 2024, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CDT
Category: Events


2024 Summer Seminars

In person

May 22 – 23, 2024

Holiday Inn & Suites
75 37th Avenue, St. Cloud, MN

 

 

Registration Deadline: May 1, 2024
MAAO Member $300.00
Non-Member $405.00


Registration includes refreshment breaks, Wednesday lunch and evening buffets, and Thursday breakfast buffet.

 

If you are not currently a member of MAAO and would like to join to receive member-based pricing, click here to learn how to join MAAO.  Please allow one business day for membership application processing prior to registering for courses and seminars.



Highlights

President Mark Peterson will open the event with greetings and announcements at 9:45 AM, followed by Minnesota Department of Revenue staff speaking from 10:00 to 11:30 AM on Wednesday. Educational seminars will follow on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. 

 



Hotel Group Rate

The Holiday Inn & Suites of St. Cloud has reserved a block of rooms for the event at the following rates: 

Standard 1 King bed or 2 Queen beds      $96.00 + tax 

Two Queen beds pool view      $100.00 + tax 

Two queen beds poolside      $103.00 + tax 

Suites (all types)                  $113.00 + tax 
 

These prices are for single or double occupancy.  Reserve by April 20, 2024 to receive the group rate by calling 320-253-9000 and mentioning MAAO.


 
Raffle & Social Event

The evening social event will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. before the Wednesday dinner buffet. 

U40/10 will be hosting a raffle event with numerous items that you could win! Tickets will be available to purchase via cash or card during the social event, and winners will be announced during the dinner buffet. All proceeds will be used for the MAAO Scholarship Fund. Please contact Troy Halter, 612-283-9708 or [email protected] if you have questions or an item to donate for the raffle. 





Agenda

Wednesday, May 22 8:00 AM - noon Conference Registration
  9:45 - 10:00 AM MAAO President Mark Peterson
  10:00 - 11:30 AM Commissioner of Revenue General Session
  11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch Buffet
  1:00 - 5:00 PM Seminars (see options below)
  5:30 - 6:30 PM Social Hour and Raffle sponsored by the MAAO U40/10 group.
  6:30 PM Dinner Buffet
     
Thursday, May 23 6:45 - 8:00 AM Breakfast Buffet
  8:00 AM - noon Seminars (see options below)

  

2024 MAAO Summer Seminar Evening Event 

Please join us on Wednesday, May 22nd 

5:30 - 6:30 PM Social Hour 

6:30 PM Buffet 

at the Holiday Inn & Suites, St. Cloud 

 

President Mark Peterson is requesting a Social Hour theme of “Olympic Spirit”, asking members to dress in Olympic-related attire for our evening events! 

 



Education Seminars

1 Continuing Education Hour (CEH) per education hour for attendance at seminar sessions has been approved by the State Board of Assessors. Carefully choose seminars that equal 4 hours each day for a total of 8 hours in two days. 

Classroom limits subject to change based on demand and room capacities. Register early!

* indicates that PACE credit in addition to CEHs will be granted for seminars marked with an asterisk only 

Classroom limits subject to change based on demand.

Inclusion & Belonging in the Workplace  |  2 CEHs 
Offered twice: 
SS1 – Wednesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM 
SS2 – Wednesday 3:00 – 5:00 PM
 
Yer Winder (she/her/hers), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Manager, Minnesota Department of Revenue 
Noel Payne (she/her/hers), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Revenue 

Inclusion and Belonging has always been an important part of an organization, but it has become even more important in today’s workplace since the pandemic, social justice movement, and great resignation. Everyone has a role in creating a place of inclusion and belonging. This course will define key terms and share what it truly means to create a workplace culture of inclusion and belonging along with some best practices and tips that everyone can take and implement right away. 
 

If This House Could Talk  |  2 CEHs 
Offered twice: 
SS3 – Wednesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM 
SS4 – Wednesday 3:00 – 5:00 PM
 
Lavon Augustine, SAMA, Goodhue County Assessor 
Joe Hile, AMA, Appraiser, Goodhue County 

This course is designed to help new appraisers understand the basic amenities within different eras of residential design and construction. Topics covered will help a new appraiser identify the different means and methods of residential construction as well as read blueprints for new construction. 

MN Residential Form Report  |  4 CEHs 
SS7 – Wednesday 1:00 – 5:00 PM
 
Patrick Chapman, SAMA, Ramsey County Assessor 

This seminar will assist individuals in writing a residential demonstration form report. The learner will be provided with the most complete and up-to-date checklist to refer to as the candidate writes their report. The student reference manual will also provide step-by-step instructions for writing the report and will include many examples to help successfully complete the report.    

Note: If a learner took MN Residential Form Report since the start of the 4-year cycle July 1, 2020, they would not receive CEHs for taking this seminar. 

Panel Discussion on Agricultural Homestead  |  4 CEHs 
SS8 – Wednesday 1:00 – 5:00 PM
 
Organized by the MAAO Agricultural Committee 

A broad overview panel discussion with four assessors and one DOR representative designed to help assessors with the process, terms, and qualifications of agricultural homesteads.    

Adaptive Leadership in Times of Challenge and Change  |  4 CEHs 
SS9 – Wednesday 1:00 – 5:00 PM
 
Timothy Denney, Principal Trainer and Consultant, Level 5 Services 

Adaptive leadership, when challenges abound and the path is not clear ahead, is the focus of this course. We will explore how to establish and maintain norms that allow the team to work together to find solutions that will succeed.  Along the way, learners will also:   

  • Identify the key roles of leadership in times of challenge and change  

  • Identify key strategies to strengthen the team and maintain cohesion  

  • Identify the paradigm shifts that can take a person from manager to true leadership  

  • Identify the critical skills of successful adaptive leaders   

Note: If a learner took Adaptive Leadership in Times of Challenge and Change since the start of the 4-year cycle July 1, 2020, they would not receive CEHs for taking this seminar. 

Residential Grading and Condition  |  4 CEHs 
SS10 – Wednesday 1:00 – 5:00 PM
 
Reed Kinne, Mass Appraisal Review II, ICA, CGA, Vanguard Appraisals 
Mike Weeks, Senior VCS Field Manager, ICA, Vanguard Appraisals 

This course will discuss setting quality grade and condition of residential structures in your assessment jurisdictions. We will then discuss applying these factors to develop RCN, depreciation, and other adjustments for sales analysis purposes.   

2024, What’s Your Disaster?  |  4 CEHs 
SS11 – Wednesday 1:00 – 5:00 PM
 * PACE-approved
Minnesota Department of Revenue 

This course will provide students with a better understanding of the role of the assessor’s office when handling a disaster in their jurisdiction. We will cover the role of the assessor in providing disaster relief to property owners, completing a reassessment, and the process of applying to be a declared disaster area. Students will participate in an activity throughout the session, collaborating with peers on common disasters and the different variations, and complications that could occur. We will finish with an in-depth review of the resources available to assessors regarding disaster response. 

Excel & Advanced Sales Ratio Analysis  |  4 CEHs 
SS19 – Wednesday 1:00 – 5:00 PM
 * PACE-approved
SS23 – Thursday 8:00am – 12:00 PM * PACE-approved 
Alex Guggenberger, SAMA, Anoka County Assessor

Excel & Advanced Sales Ratio Analysis will build upon the more advanced concepts taught in Intro & Advanced Excel for Assessors. The course will utilize a MN DOR sales list and Microsoft Excel to efficiently perform a number of stratifications to aid in the completion of your Sales Ratio Analysis. Participants should bring your own laptop so you can follow along to get the most out of the course. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Designing Successful Tax Court Valuations  |  2 CEHs 
Offered twice: 
SS5 – Thursday 8:00 – 10:00 AM * PACE-approved
SS6 – Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 * PACE-approved
Brett Hall, MAI, SRA, Principal Commercial Appraiser, Hennepin County 

This seminar will review the methods and techniques used for Minnesota tax court valuations. The correct premise of value and scope of work design for successful tax court valuations will be discussed. Additionally, recent tax court decisions which highlight proper and improper methodology will be covered. This seminar will also be offered at Fall Conference 2024. 

PRISM Wisdom  |  2 CEHs 
Offered twice: 
SS12 – Thursday 8:00 – 10:00 AM * PACE-approved
SS13 – Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 * PACE-approved
Minnesota Department of Revenue 

This 2-hour course will include a brief review of PRISM and then dive deeper into reviews, documentation, and the common errors of PRISM. This course will also cover steps that county staff can take to ensure errors are prevented as well as to resolve errors in a timely fashion when they occur. The course will cover four main topics: basic PRISM review, defining each PRISM review type and the expectation for each, exploration of PRISM documentation and resources, and addressing common PRISM errors. 

Small Town Commercial  |  2 CEHs 
Offered twice: 
SS14 – Thursday 8:00 – 10:00 AM 
SS15 – Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Josh Schoen, SAMA, Rice County Assessor 

This seminar is a practical approach to valuing small town commercial property. Learn basic techniques to value commercial property in areas with limited sales. Attendees will be exposed to small town commercial, analysis, techniques, and valuation. This seminar will use DOR five-year studies, eCRV public searches, and all three approaches to valuation. 

Log Homes and Tiny Homes  |  2 CEHs 
Offered twice: 
SS16 – Thursday 8:00 – 10:00 AM 
SS17 – Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Theodore N. Anderson, AMA, Senior Deputy Assessor, Chisago County 

This is a breakdown of the construction style and characteristics of a log home, from a cabin off the grid to a mansion of wood. The tiny home trend will also be explored, including models on wheels and those affixed to the land. Also discussed will be other methods of living, including but not limited to van life and shipping containers. Real life scenarios and items of note in the field will be presented. 

Model Building Basics: Introduction to Regression and its Application to Valuation  |  4 CEHs 
SS18 – Thursday 8:00 – 12:00 PM
 
Daniel Fasteen, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Tyler Technologies 

This workshop is tailored to simplify and clarify the core principles of modeling for a diverse audience. Attendees will explore the foundational aspects of modeling, including initiation, effectiveness, and practical application in the cost, income, and market approaches. Key discussion topics include the basics of regression, construction of variables, specifying a model, diagnostic strategies, interpretation of residual plots, and conducting effective sales ratio studies. The session will also address the application of models to the approaches to value, providing a thorough grounding in real-world valuation scenarios. Attendees will be able to apply their knowledge by building a simple valuation model during the workshop and using the results to solve an appraisal problem. 

Classification Navigation  |  4 CEHs 
SS20 – Thursday 8:00 – 12:00 PM
 * PACE-approved
Minnesota Department of Revenue 

This 4-hour course will include a review of unique nuances of specific classification information, such as requirements, class rates and tax capacity. This course analyzes qualifications of several classification types to understand the purpose of the qualification. Lastly, this course will discuss how to determine the correct classification based on the use of the property and whether the property needs to be split classed, along with identifying uses for the classification resources available. Information used to create this course included reviewing over 1 million property records and using some of the top classifications to focus the content. 

Skills for Crisis De-escalation  |  4 CEHs 
SS21 – Thursday 8:00 – 12:00 PM

Timothy Denney, Principal Trainer and Consultant, Level 5 Services 

Assessors can wind up being “them” to someone almost daily, which can lead to people who are loud and unwilling to reason.  How does one reduce the tension, redeem the conversation, and get the job done reasonably and safely?  

Using skills taught to first responders, this course will help learners identify the parts of the brain that are active in conflict as well as how to reduce tension and anger. We will also identify practical skills such as the use of empathy, avoiding power struggles, calming with physical presence, assessing risk, and getting to “yes.”   

Note: If a learner took Skills for Crisis De-escalation since the start of the 4-year cycle July 1, 2020, they would not receive CEHs for taking this seminar. 

MN Residential Form Report Workshop  |  4 CEHs 
SS22 – Thursday 8:00 – 12:00 PM
 
Patrick Chapman, SAMA, Ramsey County Assessor 

This “Hands On” seminar will assist individuals in writing a residential demonstration form report. Form Report Graders will be in the room to provide assistance and answer questions as you write your report. Bring your Form Reports and laptops.    

Note: If a learner took MN Residential Form Report since the start of the 4-year cycle July 1, 2020, they would not receive CEHs for taking this seminar. 

 


 
COVID Considerations

MAAO is following the current guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. Each educational offering is subject to cancellation if mandated by the Governor or due to a change in COVID conditions. A 100% refund will be processed for any registrant due to a COVID-related cancellation. Attendance at any course is at the risk of the employer and attendee. MAAO will not be held liable. 

 


 
ADA Policy

If you have a disability and may require some accommodations at any event, please notify us via email to [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the course, and we will attempt to make reasonable arrangements.

 


 
Cancellation Policy

 A refund less a $30.00 administration fee will be issued for cancellations received five business days prior to the start of a course or conference.  Registrants who fail to attend or cancel prior to the cancellation deadline are responsible for the entire fee. If a registrant is unable to attend the event, a substitute from the jurisdiction that paid for the registration can attend at no additional charge.  Please send written notification of this change five business days prior to the start of the event.  MAAO reserves the right to cancel any event if necessary and provide a full refund.  Refunds will be issued within 30 days of the course or conference.  Membership dues are non-refundable. 

 


 
Questions?