46: Jeff Prang - Innovative Recruitment Programs and Virtual Training

In this episode, Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor, discusses his role and initiatives since 2014. He highlights the department's large scale, with 1,400 employees and a $250 million budget, and the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff, especially with the impact of COVID-19. Prang details new recruitment strategies, including partnerships with community colleges to train appraisers and other staff. He also emphasizes the importance of technology, mentioning a $120 million investment in a new Oracle system to replace outdated mainframe technology. Prang also discusses the impact of Proposition 13 and Proposition 19 on property taxation and equity issues, particularly in African American and Latino communities.

We cover:

• Introduction and Jeff Prang's Role as LA County Assessor 0:01
• Journey to Become LA County Assessor 2:35
• Challenges and Strategies in Recruiting and Retaining Staff 4:40
• Innovative Recruitment Programs and Virtual Training 8:49
• Community College Partnerships and Government Recruitment 13:16
• Technology Upgrades and Procurement Challenges 18:01
• Public Education and Outreach 33:16
• Data Analysis and Equity in Property Values 35:09
• Proposition 13 and Its Impact on Property Taxes 37:26
• Future Directions and Career Advice 39:33