From Addressographs to GIS: The Adaptation of Real Property
Listing and Property Valuation to Technology Wisconsin Real
Property Listers Association
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Acknowledgements James Wallen, Brown Co. Roxanne Moore, Burnett
Co., Retired Cheryl Zellmer, Dane Co David Addison, Dodge Co. Holly
Hansen, Door Co Lauree Kratcha, Jackson Co. Al Brokmeier, Kenosha
Co. Pam Hollnagel, La Crosse Co. Krista Paulson, Lafayette Co.
Marge Johnson, Lincoln Co. Ruth Winter, Menominee Co. Jeremy
Erickson, Monroe Co. Cindy Wisinski, Portage Co. Pat Harmann,
Racine co Ann Burton Sauk Co. Nick Gamroth, Trempealeau Co.
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Origins Elected Local Assessors Elected Local Assessors with
County Boards Appointed Perform Equalization State Board of
Equalization 1868 County Boards Given Responsibility for
Assessments
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Statewide Commission 1899 Appointed. Tax Administration must be
Performed by Non-elected Professionals Three Person Commission
Appointed to Direct Assessments Equalization Added Commission
Eventually Becomes the Department of Revenue
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Origins A parcel of land located in Government Lot One(1) of
Section Twenty-four(24) Township Thirty-nine(39) North, of Range
fourteen (14) West, described as follows: Beginning at the point
which is 710 feet East and 33 feet South of the Northwest corner of
said Section 24, being the northeast corner of a parcel of land
described in Volume 91 of Deeds, page 112, as recorded in the
office of the Register of Deeds, thence running East and parallel
with the North line of said Section a distance of 647 feet, thence
South parallel with the West line of said Section 24, a distance of
850 feet, thence West parallel with the North line of said Section
300 feet, more or less to the shore of Bass Lake, thence Northerly
and Northwesterly along the shore of Bass Lake to a point South of
the Point of beginning, being the Southeast corner of above
referenced Volume 91 page 112, thence North parallel with the West
line of said section 24 to the point of the beginning.
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Origins The Assessor Enter each parcel on the assessment roll
in regular order by government subdivisions with such certainty as
would be sufficient between grantor and grantee in a conveyance of
property. Elected Not certified Shortened legal description T he
Treasurer Billed and collected taxes using the hand written tax
roll. Wrote certificates on delinquencies Tax Deeds on delinquent
land became impossible no one knew what land was being taxed The
Town Clerk Created Tax Roll Applied mil rate to each parcel Total
tax roll and deliver to local Treasurer Shortened legal
descriptions.
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Works Progress Administration Wisconsin State Legislature
Origins
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Valuation Listing Discovery
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RPL Combines legal descriptions, ownership and values Co.
Treasurer Generates tax bills, supplies addresses GIS Maintains
parcel maps County GIS Assessor Property values DOR Manufacturing
values Register of Deeds Deeds, CSMs, subdivisions and
condominiums
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Discovery & Listing
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One record in the parcel attribute database consists of
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Document Types used in Discovery Warranty Deed Quit Claim Deed
Personal Representative Deed Trustee Deed HT-110 (Termination of
Decedents Property) Land Contract Sheriffs Deed Condominium Deed
Tax Deed Transfer on Death Deed Parcel splits usually involve some
kind of map or plat such as CSMs, plat of surveys, condo plats,
subdivision plats, right of way plats, or transportation project
plats Real Estate Transfer Returns are used to discover the tax
bill mailing addresses
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The best way to summarize the work that a Real Property Lister
does is as follows: A property lister is not a lawyer, but they
have to know real estate law. A property lister is not a land
surveyor, but they have to know how to measure land. A property
lister is not a cartographer, but they have to know how to make a
map. A property lister is not a title examiner, but they have to
know how to examine title. A property lister is not a clerk, but
they have to know how to develop and apply mill rates for taxation.
A property lister is not a register of deeds, but they have to be
able to read and interpret deeds. A property lister is not an
assessor, but they have to be well versed in assessment practices.
A property lister is not a zoning administrator, but they have to
understand zoning ordinances. A property lister is not a planner,
but they have to understand planning and land division ordinances.
A property lister is not a conservationist, but they have to
understand conservation programs. A property lister is not a GIS
analyst, but they have to be able to analyze geographic
information. etc.
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Real Property Listers and Property Values Discovery and Listing
Valuation Open Book Board of Review Taxation
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Successes and Changes
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Assessors Successes Electronic records Electronic transfer
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Register of Deeds and County Treasurer Successes Document
imaging Computerized tracts Growing interaction with ROD/Co.
Treasurer/RPL software Cooperative development of eRETR
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Geographic Information Systems Successes Cost savings
Significantly improved parcel mapping Greater data access Greater
time for research
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Geographic Information Systems Also Brought Past Unknown Title
Issues to Light Bad legal's in old deeds showed up as gaps and
overlaps on digital parcel map Potential building and property
boundary encroachments suddenly became visibly apparent when
accurate parcel mapping was laid over the top of orthophotography
Poor quality of our old floodplain mapping became obvious
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Department of Revenue Successes Tighter integration with DOR
eRETR SOA submittal Work and Final Roll submittal
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Challenges
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Software
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Challenges Assessment practices Industry consolidation Low
bidding Typical Cost: Approximately $15.00 per parcel $5.00 or less
per parcel Public looks to county RPL By passing county
Challenges Electronic data Greater links to DOR Access to
County website Split information Permits Custodianship of data
Public record requests
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In addition to listing title information and assessed value
information, property listers have to distribute their databases at
different intervals throughout the year. Work Roll Assessment Roll
Tax Roll
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Challenges Input regarding direction of Land Records
59.72(3m)(a) Creates a County Land Council Provides for broad
community input
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Challenges 88 % have a RPL on the Council Meeting
frequency
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Kewaunee County Land Council Meets once a year in January
Reviews the countys land records modernization plan LIO director
gets input regarding what projects should be done in the next year
Day to day decisions are made by LIO Director in consultation with
County Administrator and Finance Committee
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Washington County Land Council Meets multiple times a year, at
least quarterly Reviews the countys land records modernization plan
LIO director gets input regarding what projects should be done in
the next year Make recommendation regarding expenditures of
retained fees
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Possible Solutions Download pages Assessment Rolls GIS data
Other commonly requested reports Access records Assist RPL County
Land Information Council RPL should be on Council per 59.72(3m)(a)
70.09 update Web based services?
