RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE the County Counsel, or designee, to execute, on behalf of the County, a contract with Baker & O'Brien, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $700,000 to provide refining industry analyses in connection with refinery property tax appeals, for the period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
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 provides 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 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. The Assessor concurs with and supports this recommendation.
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