[Adopted 12-8-1992 by L.L. No. 3-1992]
This article shall be known as the "Differential Salaries for Elected Assessors Based on Training Law of the Town of Gardiner, Ulster County, New York."
A. 
The intent of this article is to provide for salary increments for elected Assessors who have successfully completed some or all of the training required by law and other advanced designations recognized by the State of New York as listed herein.
B. 
The Town Board recognizes that elected Assessors are unique in local government in that they must satisfy a training requirement during their term of office. The Assessor training program was enacted in 1984 (Laws of 1984, Chapter 472). The implicit presumption behind the program is that Assessor training leads to improved assessing. Although each member of the Board of Assessors has equal responsibility, a better trained Assessor may be expected to be more effective at performing those duties than an untrained Assessor.
[Amended 8-12-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
C. 
The Town Board finds that such training benefits the Town and that it is reasonable for the Town to provide greater compensation to the trained Assessor based on the level of training completed.
As used in this article, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ASSESSOR
An elected Assessor, or person appointed by the Town Board to fill a vacancy in the position of elected Assessor.
CERTIFIED ASSESSOR
An Assessor who has been certified after attending required training and passing a comprehensive examination or obtaining a waiver of the basic course of training as described in Section 188-2.2 of the state rules.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
An Assessor appointed by the Town Board as Chairman pursuant to § 22-b of Town Law.
INITIAL (UNTRAINED) ASSESSOR
A person duly elected or appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of Assessor who has completed no more than the initial orientation training required under Section 188-2.9 of the state rules.
INTERIM CERTIFICATION ASSESSOR
An Assessor who has received an interim certificate based upon completion of one or more components of the basic course of training as described in Section 188-2.12 of the state rules.
SALARY
The compensation set by the Town Board of the Town of Gardiner pursuant to law. "Base salary" shall be the salary for Initial (Untrained) Assessor.
STATE CERTIFIED ASSESSOR, ADVANCED
An Assessor who has been designated advanced in accordance with the state rules.
TRAINING
Education, examination, certification and advanced designations in accordance with Rules for Real Property Tax Administration established by the New York State Board of Real Property Services, as amended.
The Town Board shall set the salary for Assessor according to the following four different steps, evidenced by higher levels of training and certification:
A. 
Initial (Untrained) Assessor.
B. 
Interim Certificate Assessor.
C. 
Certified Assessor.
D. 
State Certified Assessor, Advanced.
A. 
The annual salary for each Assessor other than Chairman shall be determined by adding the base salary plus the differential assigned to the particular level of training. These salaries shall be as follows:
[Amended 8-12-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
Level of Training
Differential
1. Initial (Untrained) Assessor (base salary)
0%
2. Interim Certificate Assessor
15%
3. Certified Assessor
30%
4. Certified Assessor, Advanced
35%
B. 
The salary of Assessor to be advertised prior to the public hearing on the Annual Budget shall be the maximum total salary permitted under this schedule.
C. 
Any subsequent changes in the base salary for elected Assessor shall be by resolution of the Town Board in accordance with the Annual Budget. Any subsequent change in the salary differential (%) listed above shall be by local law after public hearing.
The salary of a particular Assessor may be adjusted annually by resolution of the Town Board and in recognition of a change in level of certification. An Assessor who has achieved a higher level of certification during the course of the year must present written evidence of certification to the Town Supervisor on or before January 1. The Supervisor shall submit the necessary resolution for approval at the next regularly scheduled meeting. An adjustment of salary shall become effective with the next payroll period following the Town Board resolution.
A. 
Nothing contained herein shall alter or diminish the authority of the Town Board to appoint the Chairman of the Board of Assessors and to set a different salary for the Chairman pursuant to § 22-b of the Town Law.
B. 
The salary for Chairman shall be in lieu of the salary schedule outlined above.