The City of Detroit’s Assessment Division had neither the manpower nor expertise to successfully complete a project of this magnitude. There are a few companies nationwide who can execute a reappraisal of this magnitude. Before the selection process, critique was established to determine what qualities the city needed a vendor to possess. Several companies in the State of Michigan were invited to bid on the project, and they all declined due to the cost and time associated with the project. In addition, an emergency manager had just been named to take over operations of the City of Detroit as well. Four candidates were selected from 7 bidders and two were selected for follow up interviews. Tyler Technologies of Moraine, OH was the preferred vendor. This was based in large part due to their work in New Orleans, LA after Hurricane Katrina and Miami Dade, FL.
Along with the reappraisal, a complete restructuring of the Office of the Assessor has occurred to ensure that an adequate number of staff are recruited and trained to maintain the Assessment Roll based on state law. We have increased the number of full time employees by nearly a quarter from 2013/2014 levels, we have hired staff certified trainers as part of our staff to ensure that new and previous employees attained the necessary certification levels to maintain the Assessment Roll. We have also invested in industry leading technology (aerial and street level imagery, upgraded GIS software, CAMA (computer assisted mass appraisal) Software, etc.) all with the aim of maintaining the Assessment Roll and setting the standard across the State of Michigan regarding a well-run, technologically driven, Assessor’s Office.