The District’s Office of Tax and Revenue Real Property Assessment Division is the recipient of the International Association of Assessing Officers’ (IAAO) “Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction Award.”

The award, presented to Thomas Branham, chief assessor, at the association’s 73rd annual conference in Atlanta, Ga., is bestowed to an assessment agency that has instituted a technical, procedural or administrative program that is recognized as a component of a model assessment system and a contributing factor to equity in property taxation. 

The District’s Real Property Assessment Division, which was selected from a group of more than 50 submissions, was awarded for its implementation of several technological improvements over the past two years that have resulted in improved assessments and enhanced equity among property owners in the District of Columbia.

“This award reflects the dedication and commitment of Mr. Branham and of our employees to develop and manage a complete and accurate assessment system,” said Sherryl Hobbs Newman, deputy chief financial officer. “We have taken advantage of the latest technology to improve and support our assessment staff in providing accurate and timely data.”

The IAAO is a nonprofit, educational, and research association. It is a professional membership organization of government assessment officials and others interested in the administration of property tax. The IAAO was founded in 1934, and now has a membership of more than 8,000 members worldwide from government, business, and academic communities.