The City of Big Rapids 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:

• Proficient in BS&A/Equalizer (Cloud) and APEX software’s.
• Maintain local phone number, email address and a minimum of twelve (12) scheduled office working hours at City Hall per week plus additional availability for meetings with residents, agents, and other interested parties.
• Promptly respond to inquiries from the public, title companies, real estate agents, and other parties regarding assessing issues. Answer telephone calls and respond to walk-in requests with information. Explain assessing practices and procedures 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.
• Perform onsite inspections in order to annually re-appraise 20% of the real properties of each class (residential, commercial, industrial) per Michigan law, and to determine the value of any new
• Maintain all of the City’s assessment rolls, including ad valorem, specific tax rolls (IFTs, PILOTs, TIFs, etc.), and special assessments in order to ensure compliance with state law and the City Charter.
• Track captured values in the tax capture
• Keep the property record field cards up to date.
• Print and send annual assessment
• Follow City ordinance regarding land division and combinations as necessary, complying with the State’s Land Division Act and County procedures for land