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Commissioner Zorc MADE A MOTION to appoint Steve Boyle as the Appraiser Special <br />Magistrate for the VAB 2020 tax year, SECONDED by School Board Member Rosario <br />for discussion. <br />VAB Clerk Terri Collins -Lister acknowledged that Steve Boyle met the qualifications to <br />serve as a Special Magistrate on the VAB. She commented that Mr. Boyle had <br />represented petitioners who had appealed their assessments before the VAB in the past. <br />He was aware and agreed to recuse himself from hearing appeals from previous clients, <br />clients represented by his son, or to recuse himself from hearing appeals on properties <br />he had previously appraised. <br />The VAB sought and received Attorney Michelle Napier's opinion regarding Mr. Boyle <br />representing the VAB as a Special Magistrate. She stated it was the Board's duty to <br />avoid a conflict and the appearance of a conflict. <br />A discussion followed concerning the VAB being completely transparent, avoiding the <br />appearance of a conflict, and making sure that Special Magistrates recuse themselves if <br />a member of their firm represents an appeal of a property in the County in which the <br />magistrate serves. <br />Commissioner Zorc sought and received information from the VAB Clerk on the process <br />of verifying there was no conflict of interest between the Special Magistrate and the <br />petitioner. A lengthy discussion followed with the Board expressing their concern that <br />Mr. Boyle's involvement in the VAB process could appear as a conflict of interest. <br />Chairman Flescher CALLED FOR A VOTE and the Board, by a 1-3 vote (Chairman <br />Flescher, Vice Chairman Heckman, and School Board Member Rosario opposed), the <br />motion failed. <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Zorc, SECONDED by Chairman Flescher, the Board, <br />by a 4-0 vote approved to appoint Stephen Neill, as the Appraiser Special Magistrate <br />and Juliana Young as an Alternate Appraiser Special Magistrate for the VAB 2020 tax <br />year with the caveat that all Magistrates would be notified that they must recuse <br />themselves from hearing an appeal in which a member of their firm had previously <br />represented the petitioner. <br />VAB Attorney Napier reiterated that the Florida Administrative Rules require the <br />Special Magistrate to recuse themselves if there is a conflict of interest. Commissioner <br />Zorc wanted to make sure the Magistrates were notified that any member of their firm <br />was subject to the rules if they had represented a client that appealed before the VAB. <br />2020 VAB Organizational Meeting Minutes Page 4 <br />September 14, 2020 <br />