Matt Woolford - Data Standardization and Assessment Practices in Michigan

Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00Matt’s background and big ideas 00:23Matt’s experience in government, equalization and assessmentAllegan County: a growing agricultural communityProposition A (1995) in Michigan 2:53Standardizing data in CAMA systems across Michigan county governments 5:15“Zillow Talk” and Zestimates: how AI and other data-driven innovations are changing the industryEnsuring methods of data collection and analysis are authoritative and credibleState has recommended standards — needs more adoptionValuation methodology in Michigan 8:31Establishing “true cash value”Cost, income (best-use), and sales-comparison approaches all usedCost approach challenges: lack of comprehensive dataLand valuation: vacant land sales vs abstraction methodsMichigan’s requirements and metrics for equalization assessment 12:41COD and PRD, vertical and horizontal equityState audit process once every 5 yearsEquity becoming more important in the future with growing geospatial and statistical proficiency among assessorsAdvice for newcomers 15:36Understand the importance of good dataBe aware of emerging technologiesBetter data, better models, better skills in the age of “Zillowification”How to reach Matt 17:27mwoolford@allegancounty.org