Abstract
The Challenges of a Field Canvass in Whispering Ranch
Track: Cadastral and Land Records
Author
Whispering Ranch is a 19,000 acre area in Northwestern Maricopa County that was originally subdivided in the 1960's without County acceptance. There is no infrastructure and many of the residents prefer no government intervention into their affairs. No comprehensive canvass of the area has ever been done. While the Assessor's Office believes that it has accounted for most of the improvements to the land, the sheer size of the area and solitary nature of the residents mean that it is likely that there are improvements that are not on the tax roll. Several tools were experimented with to determine the best canvass for the area. Challenges were encountered with a short time window, technology and budgetary constraints. The Assessor's Office had done a good job of recording the improvements, but as expected some were missing. This project has provided insight into how future canvasses in remote areas might be executed.
David Minton
Maricopa County Assessor's Office
301 W. Jefferson St.
Suite 330
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
United States
Phone: 602-372-1757
E-mail: davidm@mail.maricopa.gov