VT Census Case Studies : James City County: Real Estate Assessments

Created and last modified by molfe on 02 Jan 2016

Brief Overall Description of the Dataset:

The functions and responsibilities of the Division include:

  • Producing biennial assessment of JCC real estate - including the departmental review of assessment process (appeal process)

  • Providing property information to the public and JCC staff - including an internet website, informational reports and GIS (Geographic Information System) - produced maps

  • Providing administrative support to the JCC Board of Equalization

  • Creating the JCC Land Book annually


We received the data in Parcel Format.
  • For physical characteristics of the unit, the data represented 2015 (when the data was pulled).
  • Assessment data has no dates: only current, prior, and 2-prior.
  • Sales data is the only viable data as it has dates and fall with our year range.
Also from them, we received data on Water and Sewage. However, this data was not pertinent to this study as only had information by address on which company/department was responsible for the water/sewage.

Link: http://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/%5C/assessments/index.html

 http://property.jamescitycountyva.gov/JamesCity/

Date Inventory Completed: 8/12/2015

Screening

  • Is the data collected opinion-based?
  • Is the data collection recurring (must be collected at least annually)?
  • Is there data available for 2013?
  • Is the data collected at the property or housing unit level?
  • Can we access the data by August 15th?

Purpose

  • What is the purpose of the organization collecting the data?

Fairly and equitably assessing James City County (JCC) real estate and providing accurate property information under the authority of the Constitution of Virginia, Code of Virginia, and JCC Code.

  • Why is it collected and how does the organization use it?

The data is collected for tax, fees, and/or planning purposes.

  • Who else uses the data?

In raw form, the data is used throughout the county. The data also forms the basis of other commercial and federal databases.

  • Who do they sell the data to?

Commercial/non profit entities who repurpose the data to create their own databases or products.


Method

  • What is the data collection method? 

Property taxes are primarily based on assessed value as determined by the County Assessor.

  • What is the type of data collected? 

Administrative

  • If designed, who created the questions?

  • What is the raw source of the collected data (prior to any aggregation)? 

Assessment records


Description

  • What is the general topic of the data (1-2 words)?

Real estate assessments

  • What are the earliest and latest dates for which data is available?

Unknown

  • Is data collected and available periodically?

Yes

  • How soon after a reference period ends can a data source be prepared and provided? 

Unknown


Selectivity

  • What is the universe (e.g., population) that the data represents?

Property in James City County


Accessibility

  • How is the data accessed? 

Can be accessed online.

Unknown in regards to accumulated historical

  • Is it open data?

Yes

  • Any legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source?

None stated

  • Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?

 

Data on the website free.

 

For the price of other standard reports, see: http://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/%5C/pdf/realestate/Forms-all/DataPriceList.pdf

Does this dataset appear to meet our needs for the Census study? YES

Full Inventory

Description

  • Features
    • What is the temporal nature of the data: longitudinal, time-series, or one time point?

Longitudinal

    • Geospatial? If Yes, at what level?

Property address and parcel


Metadata

  • Is there information available to assess the transparency and soundness of the methods to gather the data for our purposes?

No

  • Is there a description of each variable in the source along with their valid values?

No

  • Are there unique IDs for unique elements that can be used for linking data?

Parcel ID

  • Is there a data dictionary or codebook?

No

 

Selectivity

  • What unit is represented at the record level of the data source?

Property

  • Does this universe match the stated intentions for the data collection? If not, what has been included or excluded and why?

Unknown

  • What is the sampling technique used (if applicable)? 

  • What was the coverage?

Unknown


Stability/Coherence

  • Were there any changes to the universe of data being captured (including geographical areas covered) and if so what were they?

Unknown

  • Were there any changes in the data capture method and if so what were they? 

Unknown

  • Were there any changes in the sources of data and if so what were they? 

Unknown

Accuracy

  • Any known sources of error?

Can file an appeal if there is an error in assessment. See: http://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/%5C/pdf/realestate/Forms-all/AssessmentAppealApp.pdf

Information shown on these maps is derived from public records that are constantly undergoing change. This information does not replace a site survey and is not warranted for content or accuracy. The County does not guarantee the positional or thematic accuracy of the GIS data. The GIS data are not a legal representation of any of the features which are depicted. Any implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, shall be expressly excluded.

  • Describe any quality control checks performed by the data’s owner.

Unknown

 

Accessibility

  • Any records or fields collected, but not included in data source, such as for confidentiality reasons)? 

Unknown

  • Is there a subset of variables and/or data that is must be obtained through a separate process? If yes, is there a separate legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source? Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?

Unknown


Privacy and security

  • Was consent given by participant? If so, how was consent given?

Unknown

  • Are there legal limitations or restrictions on the use of the data? 

For real estate assessment gathered from online:
“Data contained anywhere on this website is Copyright County of James City. The GIS data are proprietary to the County of James City, and title to this information remains in the County of James City. All applicable common law and statutory rights in the GIS data including, but not limited to, rights in copyright, shall and will remain the property of the County of James City.”

  • What confidentiality policies does the source have? 

None stated

 

Research

  • What research has been done with this dataset? (e.g., impact of policies, predictors of student success)

County reports such as: http://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/%5C/newsreleases/currentyear2012/County-real-estate-assessments-decline.html

  • Include any links to research if provided:
  • List any other data use notes provided by the supplier.

 

Gaps/Concerns

  • Feasibility - can all jurisdiction levels provide the data (if applicable)?
  • Data ownership - a lack of clarity in legal guidance stemming from a lack of clarity with who owns digital data?
  • Data collection authority - what data is reasonably private and what constitutes unwarranted intrusion?
  • Describe any other notes you have or any gaps/concerns you see with this dataset: