Rescuing MPAC:  a few suggestions
Gail Mason, past president, Institute of Municipal Assessors

1. Stop restructuring plans.

Work with the employees you have. Reorganize the entire staff into Property Values, Quality Services and Customer Service. New competitions are causing havoc, frustration, animosity and turmoil in the entire organization. No one is happy with this. Happy employees are productive employees. Why cause this upset?

2. Set standards.

This will ensure each employee has the opportunity to advance. This will determine who should receive promotions. This will stop the favoritism and nepotism that is running rampant in the organization today. The Institute of Municipal Assessors has the right idea. Designations determine who has taken the time to fulfill all recognized assessment courses. At least the employee starts with a level playing field in competitions for advancement. Customers will recognize the professionalism in the organization. Tax consultants require designations. Local government also require some standard of education – AMTCO etc.

3. Treat employees with respect.

Many hard working, dedicated, loyal employees, managers included, are losing their jobs due to this reorganization. They have given many years to assessment and now in a few months time have lost their job and lost their career. Is this fair treatment to many who have given their time and many years to assessment? Our motto is to treat our clients and customers fairly and equitably - how can this be achieved in MPAC if this corporation cannot treat their employees the same?

4. Keep the corporation cost-effective but efficient.

MPAC has cut jobs and yet increased Managers' salaries. Where is the savings? Hazel McCallion always stated that "the way to improve the assessment division is to spend more money in equipment and employees – the money spent will increase the revenue to the Municipalities many times over.”

 

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