At the recent MACo Summer Conference, the Affiliate of Budget and Finance Officials hosted the new leadership of the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The meeting allowed county finance officials to work directly with the new SDAT leadership team and discuss several policy issues to ensure the assessment and taxation processes are as transparent and efficient as possible.

The change in SDAT leadership brings a new perspective to the department, particularly in its working relationship with county governments. The new leadership team, led by Director Dan Phillips and Deputy Director Bob Yaeger, is committed to fostering closer partnerships with county finance officials, emphasizing a commitment to transparency, accountability and open communication.

Throughout the meeting, the collaboration between SDAT and county finance officials was clearly emphasized. The new leadership expressed their openness to feedback and their desire to work with the counties to address challenges and implement best practices. In turn, county finance officials expressed their appreciation for this collaborative approach and their willingness to maintain an ongoing dialogue with SDAT.

Property taxes are the largest source of revenue for Maryland county governments. Counties rely on these revenues to fund schools, public safety, infrastructure, public health, and other essential services.

SDAT is responsible for appraising real estate in Maryland. Appraisals conducted by the state, rather than local governments, provide taxpayers with the assurance that the appraiser will provide objective, unbiased analysis.

Maryland divides more than two million property accounts into three groups, which are assessed every three years by the SDAT. There are 24 local state assessment offices, one in each county and one in Baltimore City.

More about MACo’s summer conference: