Geographic-Assisted Mass Appraisal solution will provide more precise valuations for 50,000 parcels in Arizona 

TORONTO – October 21, 2013 – Esri Canada today announced that Maricopa County in Arizona will be implementing the company’s Assessment Analyst solution. The geographic information system (GIS) desktop software fully integrates with Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) systems, resulting in a powerful Geographic-Assisted Mass Appraisal (GAMA) solution that provides tools for data collection, audits, maintenance, updates and spatial analysis. It allows assessors to significantly improve the quality of data for accurate assessments. It also automates assessment workflows, saving time by allowing assessors to make calculations, run valuation models and reassess properties on the fly. The County will use the solution to analyze and revaluate a pilot area of 50,000 parcels covering North Phoenix and East Glendale in Arizona. 

“We looked for a fully integrated tool set that includes traditional imagery, oblique air photography, bulk collected street front photography and geo-referenced building sketches all seamlessly working together to ensure that data sent to property owners is the most accurate,” says Tim Boncoskey, chief deputy assessor, Maricopa County. “This solution provides us with a tested methodology for property revaluation that has worked in large assessment jurisdictions in North America.” 

“Inaccurate data results in inaccurate valuations,” says Alex Miller, president, Esri Canada. “Using Assessment Analyst, municipalities such as Maricopa County can take advantage of the combined strengths of GIS and CAMA, as well as advanced mapping, 3D visualization and refined valuation models to easily detect data errors and quickly correct them right from their desktop. This eliminates the need for numerous field trips and facilitates a more equitable distribution of taxes based on accurate assessments.” 

Based on Esri’s ArcGIS platform, Assessment Analyst is a configurable solution that allows assessors to view and modify valuations produced by their CAMA system and detect errors in source data by examining the CAMA data simultaneously with remotely sensed information. It allows assessors to efficiently manage projects through an intuitive dashboard and monitor productivity. The solution is made available as a group of themed applications that support data acquisition, valuation, market analysis, audit and administration.  

Maricopa County will combine previously purchased Pictometry imagery with analytics in Assessment Analyst to conduct a more comprehensive review of their 2015 assessment roll. The solution will help grow the County’s assessment tax base by detecting missing property improvements and the resulting property tax for the jurisdictions in the pilot area. It will also allow the County to correct valuations for 2016 much sooner with fewer onsite inspections and improve the accuracy of data for use in valuation models. 

For more information on Assessment Analyst, visit: esri.ca/assessmentanalyst. 

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About Maricopa County

 Maricopa County is the fifth largest of Arizona's 15 counties, and the 14th largest county in the United States. Maricopa County is larger than five states and the District of Columbia. The county measures 132 miles from east to west and 103 miles from north to south. Twenty-four cities and towns are located within Maricopa County's outer boundaries. Maricopa County has a population of over 3,800,000 people (2011), making it one of the most populous counties in the nation. For more information, visit maricopa.gov. 

About Esri Canada
Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides enterprise geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower businesses, governments and educational institutions to make timely, informed and mission-critical decisions by leveraging the power of geography.  The company distributes the world's leading GIS software from Esri, Schneider Electric, Cityworks – Azteca Systems, Inc. and other technology partners.  Headquartered in Toronto, the company serves over 10,000 customers from 16 regional offices across Canada.  Esri Canada has joined the elite rank of Canada’s Best Managed companies and has been named to the Branham300.  Information about the company can be found at esri.ca. 

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