The City of Big Rapids, Michigan is seeking proposals from qualified contractors and firms to provide assessing services on a contractual basis.

The City of Big Rapids is located in Mecosta County, about 60 miles north of Grand Rapids. Big Rapids provides general municipal services to a population of 7,727 people in an area of 4.48 square miles. The City has an assessed value of $236,379,700 and taxable value of $190,241,191 for ad valorem real and personal parcels. The City has 2,075 real and 528 personal parcels. Candidates should have experience with DDA Districts, IFT’s, OPRA’s, PILT’s, PA 328’s, State Land Bank, DNR PILTS, EMPP and land divisions.

Scope of Services:
The City is seeking to secure the services of an MAAO level or higher Assessor/firm to work on a contractual basis. The following is a list of the minimum services to be provided in addition to those outlined in Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 211.10:

• Proficient in BS&A/Equalizer (Cloud) and APEX software. The City will provide a desktop on site.
• Maintain local phone number and email address.
• Ability to work remotely with a minimum of twenty-four (24) scheduled office working hours at City Hall per month plus additional availability for meetings with residents, agents, and other interested parties. Appropriate office space will be provided.
• Respond to walk-in requests as necessary.
• Plan, supervise, and participate in the appraisal, re-appraisal, and assessment of all real and personal properties in the City in accordance with state law and the City Charter.
• Maintain all of the City’s assessment rolls, including DDA, ad valorem, specific tax rolls (IFTs, PILOTs, TIFs, etc.), and special assessments in order to ensure compliance with state law and the City Charter.
• Follow City ordinance regarding land division and combinations as necessary, complying with the State’s Land Division Act and procedures for land divisions as well as update GIS.
• Analyze property sales of all property classes within the City to determine property values and appropriate assessment adjustments, including vacant land values.
• Process all poverty and veteran exemption applications.
• File all necessary State and County reports pertaining to the Assessment and Tax Rolls.
• Perform an annual self-audit. Annually prepare a report regarding the status of the Assessing Department and the Assessment Roll(s) and present it to City Council. Attend City Council and/or committee meetings on an as- needed basis (typically 1-2 City Council meeting per year).
• All assessment files will be the property of and kept at the City Hall.
• Represent the City in defense of existing and future assessment appeals to the Board of Review and Small Claims division of the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
• Assist and coordinate with the City’s attorney in the defense of full Tax Tribunal appeals.
• The Assessor is expected to present a positive professional image in both dress and conduct while interfacing with City staff and the public.
• Update market values for land and buildings owned by the City. Said information obtained shall be used for insurance purposes, depreciation and to establish lease values.
• Responsible for PA 660 Audit and advise municipality of standard and recommended actions to ensure the municipality remains in full compliance with the State Tax Commission.
• Participate in the City’s budgeting process.
• Perform all other duties incidental to the normal duties of an Assessor.
• Provide training and/or mentoring to clerical staff.

City Staff and Assistance offered
The City will provide clerical services to assist the Assessor. The support will include a full-time Appraiser. The Appraiser processes all sale documents, PRE, verifies sales, performs all field work, building permits, 20% re-inspection and any other duties as assigned, including but not limited to, answering routine telephone calls and walk-in requests for assessment data, provide the Assessor’s telephone number to residents as necessary, assist in scheduling assessment related appointments, provide copies of all assessment open records as requested and assist in mailing notices. The City will be responsible for printing assessment notices and tax bills and payment of postage. The City will continue to schedule the Board of Review meetings at City Hall and post the required public notices.

Qualifications
The proposal shall include a statement of qualifications. The statement should include the name, address, and brief history of the Assessor/firm. Contractors interested in applying must include a list of current clients and projects, and a minimum of three references. The City will consider those contractors that, in its sole judgment, demonstrate the skills and abilities to develop effective working relationships with the staff, officials, and public. The respondents should provide a copy of his/her assessor Certification document.

Project Cost and Contract
The annual fee for services must be described in some detail for 1, 3 and/or 5 year terms. The City will pay the annual compensation rate over monthly or quarterly installments, assuming the required work has been completed. Bidders shall express their fees for each year of the three-year contract in a not- to-exceed sum to include all of the Assessor’s costs, including but not limited to: labor, materials, transportation costs, meals, lodging, Board of Review, Small Claims divisions of the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The City will cover the full Michigan Tax Tribunal expenses. All incidental expenses will be the responsibility of the Assessor(s) or Assessing Firm.

Proposal Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated on qualifications entailing experience of the contractor, compatibility of the firm/individual to work with City staff and officials, familiarity with and understanding of the City of Big Rapids, and proposed fees. The City may elect to interview one or more candidates prior to recommending a final selection to the City Council.

Submittal Instructions
To be considered, proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope, clearly marked: RFP – ASSESSING SERVICES and received by 2:00 p.m. on January 30th , 2025, by mail or hand delivery to:

City of Big Rapids
RFP: Assessing Services
226 N. Michigan Avenue
Big Rapids, MI 49307

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals in whole or in part, and to waive any informality, irregularity, or defect in this process or in any proposal should it be deemed in the best interest of the City.