Agenda

Return

C.29

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Sharon L. Anderson, County Counsel
Date:	January 24, 2012

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 01/24/2012

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Rebecca J. Hooley, Deputy County Counsel, 335-1854
cc:	David Twa, County Administrator Robert Campbell, Auditor-Controller Gus Kramer, Assessor Baker & O'Brien, via County Counsel

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 24, 2012
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE the County Counsel, or designee, to execute, on behalf of County, a contract with Baker & O'Brien, Inc., effective January 1, 2012, in an amount not to exceed $1,850,000 to provide refining industry analyses in connection with refinery property tax appeals.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost of this contract is paid through property tax administration fees, approximately half of which come from the general fund.

BACKGROUND:

Baker and O'Brien, Inc. is a consultant for refinery industry analyses, and has been providing the County with specialized consulting services with respect to the refining industry and refineries in defending actual and anticipated assessment appeals, which challenge the valuations of the taxable property of refineries in Contra Costa County. These annual appeals typically place several billion dollars of valuation in issue. Assistance is required because valuations of refineries are highly technical, requiring specialized knowledge that only industry experts have. Baker & O'Brien staff is presently assisting the County in an ongoing property tax appeal hearing in front of the Assessment Appeals Board. The Assessor concurs with and supports this recommendation.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the contract is not approved, there is a greatly increased possibility of very significant but presently unquantifiable impacts due to adverse decisions by the Assessment Appeals Board on large refinery valuation disputes.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Not applicable.