Virginia's Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, or the Charlottesville Commission on Race and Equity, is responsible for ensuring that all applicants have fair access to employment opportunities regardless of their race, nationality, gender, religious beliefs, age, disability, or sexual orientation. To do this, the Commission regularly administers four major assessments that are applied to all applicants seeking employment in Virginia. These include a personal qualification examination, an admissions examination, an examination covering a particular record of employment, and a final examination covering whether the applicant has been approved for consideration for employment. The Commission also does random audits of the application process to ensure compliance with the requirements.
The Charlottesville assessment applies to all qualified applicants for positions as well as subcontracting employees in the city. Subcontractors include local vendors such as catering services, event planners, painters, plumbers, and electricians. Some of the services that might be covered by the Charlottesville assessment are things such as maintaining records, preparing reports, submitting relevant documentation, and working with the city's departments to obtain necessary licenses. Subsequent to the implementation of the Charlottesville Assessment, vendors that work with the city must submit appropriate financial reports to the Commission on the amount they are spending to cover the cost of providing the services. Failure to submit this documentation could result in a penalty or audit of the tax bills submitted.
For example, a catering company might have its tax bill audited by the Charlottesville Commission on Subordination Taxes (CSRT). A vendor might be audited for failing to provide proper receipts for purchases, and for failing to ensure sanitary conditions are maintained on a construction site. Both the vendor and the audited company would likely be required to reimburse the city for any costs they incur. If the vendor is a subcontractor, the CSRT would likely require that the sub contractor hire a sanitation inspector to conduct inspections of the construction site.
Another advantage to the Charlottesville Assessment Ordinance is that it authorizes the city assessor to refuse payment if a homeowner does not meet the requirements of the assessment. The provision for refusal is part of the equalization requirement contained in the Virginia Uniform Development Code. The city assessor is also authorized to order a valuation of the property. If the valuation determines that more money can be generated through the property than can reasonably be collected under the provisions of the assessment, then the assessment shall be rejected.
When a homeowner's appeal is denied, the owner has three options. He or she may appeal to the court holding that the ordinance is invalid; he or she may hire an attorney to represent him or her; or he or she may simply withdraw the appeal. If the individual does not do either of these things, then the denial of the assessment will become final. The owner is then required to pay the full amount of the assessment fee, plus interest. If he or she does not opt out of the assessment, then he or she is obligated to pay for any damages that result from the non-payment.
The City of Charlottesville does not discriminate against any citizen. All individuals who want to raise their property values have the right to appeal the assessment. As with all other local government agencies, the Charlottesville Assessor's Office must receive a formal complaint in order to proceed with the assessment appeal process. If a homeowner does choose to hire an attorney to represent him or herself, then he or she should make sure to provide the attorney with access to important information, including copies of all certified copies of tax deeds, all documents pertaining to the property values, and all records regarding the foreclosure involved with the property value appeal. This information and documentation will help make sure the appeal is supported by sufficient proof.