Chicago – The Cook County Board of Review, the largest assessment appeal board in the US, adjudicating over 400,000 assessment appeals annually has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that enhance services for residents.
NACo recognized the Cook County Board of Review’s Digital Appeals Processing System (DAPS) which transformed its paper-based process to a digital enterprise content management system. DAPS opened an online portal for constituents and created an internal digital workflow for analysis. Taxpayers can now file appeals, upload evidence, and view results online. The system's new digital workflow allows staff to review and decide appeals electronically. DAPS allows management to establish metrics and base decisions on a data-driven work process. The DAPS project finished under budget and on time.
"The implementation of DAPS has allowed us to provide an efficient, accessible and user-friendly appeal process for the taxpayers of Cook County,” said Commissioner Larry R. Rogers, Jr. “We appreciate the recognition of NACo and we are honored by this award."
“The NACo Achievement Award is recognition of the Board of Review staff’s hard work and the dedication of the Board and Commissioners to provide increased transparency, efficiency, fairness and access through innovation and technology,” said Commissioner Michael Cabonargi. “We need to encourage government to develop innovative systems like DAPS to improve the quality of service provided to all constituents.”
“We are delighted to be recognized by NACo for the innovative DAPS program recently launched at the Cook County Board of Review. As the highest volume assessment review office in the nation, we have successfully transitioned from an obsolete paper filing system to a 21st century online processing system while adjudicating an ever-increasing volume of appeals. Most importantly, DAPS allows for greater transparency for appellants, a key goal we all strive for at the Board,” said Commissioner Dan Patlak.
NACo President Bryan Desloge said, “Counties overcome complex challenges, provide essential services and constantly do more with less. We applaud these Achievement Award-winning counties for outstanding efforts to improve residents’ quality of life.”
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
NACo will recognize award-winning counties at its 2017 Annual Conference and Exposition July 21–24 in Franklin County, Ohio.
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Award Program is designed to recognize innovative county government programs. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. Learn more at www.naco.org.
The Cook County Board of Review is a quasi-judicial independent office responsible for adjudicating assessment appeals for all property in Cook County. The Board consists of three Commissioners elected in three separate districts in Cook County. Please contact the Board of Review at (312) 603-5542 with any questions. For more information, please go to www.CookCountyBoardofReview.com.