8.1.21 Release Notes

Released to Clients on 01/15/2015.

Certified Mail Changes

Per the USPS, Certified Mail now falls under the ‘Extra Services’ barcode guided by the Intelligent Mail Package Barcode specifications. The Certified Mailer ID barcode can be generated by PACS after some configuration. With the new barcode specifications, modifications are required in PACS. This affects the ARB Board Order Certified Mailer in PACS and any existing client letters which may reference the Certified Mailer ID.

NOTE: Clients may have an existing Mailer ID assigned from the USPS. This and other fields required should be verified with the USPS before attempting to generate certified mail IDs. Before mailing any certified mail from PACS, samples of the barcode should be presented to the local post office for verification.

The length of the NEW barcode in human readable format will depend on mailer options for a total of 22 – 34 digits. The barcode being replaced has 20 digits.

The barcode will generate based on mailer options entered by the user in the updated Manage Certified Mailer IDs dialog from Tools > System Settings > Manage Certified Mailer IDs.

The following Fields make up the NEW Certified Mailer ID creation:

NEW field Channel Application Identifier – Code for mail service as designated by the USPS, determines Mailer ID length, and Mail Piece ID length options

2 digits, entered by the user

The values are generally:

‘92’ when a 9 digit mailer ID is used

‘93’ when a 6 digit mailer ID is used

Service Type Code – Code for mail service type

Current field displays only 2 digits

Now 3 digits are expected, as entered by the user from USPS designations

Mailer ID (Customer Number) – Individual postal customer ID

New label to identify as Mailer ID

Could be 6 or 9 digits, user entered as assigned to client

Mail Piece ID – Each piece of mail gets an individual number where the first, last and next IDs are mail piece IDs. The client chooses the mail piece ID width, first and last ID to control the uniqueness of each mail piece ID.

For 9 digit Mailer ID – could be 7 or 11 digits

For 6 digit Mailer ID – could be 10 or 14 digits

Next Mailer Code Preview – A sample of the barcode string produced, includes a mod 10 Check Digit as the final digit

Once the certified mailer is configured, the user can print the ARB Certified Mailings or specific letters using the certified mailer ID, as necessary.

Helpstar ID Description of update

143558	Point symbols would not change color, symbol, or size and only displayed as black dots. This issue has been resolved.
143451	The AG application would not set to print on legal paper and used 4 pages of paper. This has been corrected.
143533	Users received “Connection is busy with results for another hstmt” error after the upgrade. This is no longer an issue.
143912	When trying to add a new scanned item to an Inquiry the error “Incorrect field name or field index” occurred. This is no longer an issue.
144089	Rendition forms were pulling incorrect information. This is no longer an issue.

To comply with recent legislation passed, the following has been updated:

• BPP rendition

Released to Clients on 12/10/2014.

GIS 2.0 Overview of Features

The purpose of this project is to incorporate the new ArcGIS Runtime SDK for .NET into the PACS GIS module, replacing ArcGIS Runtime SDK for WPF. This document will discuss the functionality associated with the new ESRI tool kit.

1.0 Hardware and System Requirements

The following are the recommended system requirements for ArcGIS Runtime.

Note: Windows 7 or greater is the OS requirement

2.0 Additional Setup

2.1 Admin

Runtime Licenses

If you have not already purchased your Runtime licenses or would like to upgrade to the NEW GIS Analyst license, please contact Mike Gerhold – MGerhold@harriscomputer.com

If you have not purchased these licenses you will not be able to activate the NEW GIS 2.0 in PACS.

Note: Activation of the new GIS 2.0 affects an entire database, and cannot be limited to specific machines or users within the same database. Once GIS 2.0 is activated, all users will have access only to GIS 2.0 based on the licenses assigned.

Module Administration

System Administrators will need to assign every user in module administration [See Section 10.0]

Before this was only required for GIS Appraiser licenses, it is now required for all 3 tiers of GIS:

1. GIS Viewer
2. GIS Appraiser
3. GIS Analyst

User Administration – please review the user rights for GIS as detailed in Section 10.1

2.2 Initial Map Set-up

After activating the NEW GIS 2.0 from classic GIS, initial map administration is required. When GIS 2.0 is accessed for the first time, no data will be loaded as maps will not “carry over” from classic GIS.

An administrative user, having the GIS Manager user right assigned, will need to configure a template for the office to use. To assist in this process, you may find the following useful:

In SQL run select * from gis

Copy/paste results to spreadsheet to capture file location of shapefiles and their color configuration

In SQL run select * from gis_images

Copy/paste results to spreadsheet to capture file location of raster images (aerial imagery)

Upgrade client to GIS 2.0

Module administration for the pacsserver

Open GIS and add all layers from the spreadsheet and set colors accordingly

2.3 ESRI Runtime Limitations

ESRI Runtime is the developer kit used to program GIS 2.0; this is the newest developer kit from ESRI. There have been some limitations introduced in GIS as a result of this developer kit.

Max Properties Limit for non-direct access shapefile layers

With this developer kit a maximum properties limit is still in place for non-direct access shapefile layers as necessary to maintain performance.

This maximum properties limit affects the number of properties drawn in your map extent, and in turn how many properties can be hand-selected for processing. This does not affect properties selected through Advanced Search.

Limited Symbology supported (single-element only)

Note: There is a known compatibility issue with ArcMap (used to edit maps outside of PACS) running on the same machine with PACS. We do not recommend running ArcMap 10.2 or higher with PACS.

3.0 The Viewer

The following image shows the various parts of the GIS Viewer and serves as a visual guide to the contents of this document.

4.0 Toolbar

This section covers the tools on the GIS toolbar, in no particular order.

4.1 Adding Data

The Add Data tool allows the user to add layers to the map from a variety of different data sources. The current supported data sources are:

Shapefiles – This is an older format for local GIS data that many of our clients will be working with.

Rasters – These are image files that can be displayed in the map.

Map Packages – These are a packaged set of layers created in ArcMap.

SDE – GIS data stored in a SQL database. Support for service-based SDE and direct connect is available.

Geodatabase – this is a modern local GIS data source. Support for the folder based file geodatabase and .geodatabase files is supported.

Basemaps:

Tile Packages – A set of static images (tiles) taken at varying view levels. These provide high performance at the expense of customizability.

ESRI Basemaps (online tiled layer) – these are available through ESRI webservices at no cost to our clients. Currently, a ‘World Topographic Map’ and a ‘World Imagery Map’ are available.

Key Concepts

Spatial Reference – This is essentially a coordinate system that tells the map where the data in each layer should show up. Unfortunately, not every data source will have the same spatial reference. As a result, limitations exist. Some of the layer types can re-project ‘on-the-fly’ to the spatial reference of the map. Other layer types cannot re-project at this time. If a layer is unable to re-project and does not have the same spatial reference as the map, it will not be able to be displayed.

Layers that can be re-projected – Local Service Shapefiles, Rasters, Map Package Layers, SDE layers, and Folder based Geodatabase layers

Layers that cannot be re-projected – Direct Access Shapefiles, File Geodatabase layers (.geodatabase), Basemaps (both Tile Packages and online tiled layers)

The map takes on the spatial reference of the first layer that cannot be re-projected. This layer has essentially locked the map down to its spatial reference. This layer and any other layers that are causing the map’s spatial reference to remain locked are denoted with a lock symbol in the Table of Contents. Other layers that cannot be re-projected from a different spatial reference will not show up in the map and will show an error to indicate this conflict in the Table of Contents. If the locking layers are removed, the map will detect that it is no longer tied to that spatial reference and will proceed to load any non-re-projectable layers that were being blocked.

NOTE: Re-projection is a performance draining feature. It is preferred that all of a single client’s data use the same spatial reference (and this is likely the case).

4.1.0 Add Data Tool

4.1.1 Adding Shapefiles

Adding to the Map

The “Select Shapefiles” button opens a dialog for the user to locate and select one or more [.shp] files. Any shapefiles that are selected will be added to the listbox below, selected with a check box by default. Clicking the “Add Data” button will add the selected items in the listbox to the map. When the “Add Data” button is clicked, all items will continue to display in the listbox but will be de-selected (un-checked). At least one shapefile must be in the list and at least one shapefile must be selected in order to add to the map.

Direct Access vs Local Service

Shapefiles can be added to the map in two different forms; i.e. ‘Direct Access’ or ‘Local Service’.

Direct access – a NEW feature that allows greater performance with shapefiles and is the recommended selection

Local service – available as existing functionality, valid in certain cases where the direct access cauhses a failure or wen re-projection is needed (see key concepts under 3.1 for more details), does not allow geoprocessing and cannot be added as a parcel layer

NOTE: internal testing discovered an intermittent issue with direct access crashing the application when a shapefile was loaded. This has been reported to ESRI and they acknowledged the issue. We do not have an expectation for a resolution.

4.1.2 Adding Geodatabase Layers

Adding to the Map

The “Browse” button opens a dialog for the user to locate and select one or more geodatabase files [.gdb or .geodatabase]. For files that are selected, available layers will be added to the listbox below, un-selected with a check box. Loading the geodatabase is identified with a processing indicator as this may take some time. Clicking the “Add Data” button will add the selected items in the listbox to the map. At least one geodatabase must be in the list and at least one layer must be selected in order to add to the map.

Types of Geodatabases

Folder Geodatabases – These are folders that end in [.gdb]. These will result in a local service layer that is re-projectable.

File Geodatabases – These are files that end in [.geodatabase]. They are direct access layer type.

Personal Geodatabase – These are MSAccess based geodatabase files [.mdb]. They are not supported at this time by ESRI’s SDK.

4.1.3 Adding Map Packages

Adding to the Map

The “Browse” button opens a dialog for the user to locate and select map package files [.mpk]. For files that are selected, available layers will be added to the listbox below, as un-selected with a check box. Clicking the “Add Data” button will add the selected items in the listbox to the map. At least one map package must be in the list and at least one layer must be selected in order to add to the map.

4.1.4 Adding Rasters

Adding to the Map

The “Select Rasters” button opens a dialog for the user to locate and select one or more raster files [.sid, .tif, .ecw, .jp2]. Any raster files that are selected will be added to the listbox below, as selected with a check box. Clicking the “Add Data” button will add the selected items in the listbox to the map. At least one raster file must be in the list and at least one raster file must be selected in order to add to the map.

NOTE: Rasters behave differently than other layer types. All of the rasters at a given path on the file system will be added to a single layer (rather than having a separate layer in the map for each one). If it is intended to have more than one raster layer in the map, the rasters should be stored in different folders. It is common for the clients to have several raster files that make up a single layer of imagery. For these cases, combining these to a single layer eliminates cluttering up the table of contents with layers and also provides a huge performance increase over hosting a large number of rasters each as their own layer.

4.1.5 Adding SDE Layers

Types of Connections

Direct Connect – This is a direct connection to the SDE SQL database. The Instance field should be disabled for this type.

Service Connect – (Direct Connect checkbox unchecked) this connects to an SDE service that must be set up rather than directly connecting to the SQL database. The instance should be enabled for this type.

Connecting and Disconnecting

The “Connect” button uses the entered connection information to connect to the SDE data source and populate the listbox with available SDE layers to select by check box. Once connected, the connection settings above become disabled and the text of the Connect button changes to “Disconnect”. The user must disconnect from the SDE source in order to connect to another.

Application Settings / Defaults

Note: Application settings are stored by machine user

Default Values

Schema = ‘SDE’

Version = ‘Default’

Direct Connect = ‘Checked’

Tracked Settings

Server, Database, User, Direct Connect, Instance, Schema, Version fields are all stored (only the password is not saved to the application settings). The settings for the last successful connection are saved per machine user. The settings will be remembered the next time the user visits the add SDE tool (i.e. through the application being shut down and reopened).

Connecting Validations

Required Fields (Server, Database, User, Password, Schema, Version, Instance*)

Connection Failure / Not a valid SDE database

*Note: Instance is only required when Direct Connect box is unchecked.

4.1.6 Adding Basemap Layers

Adding Online Map

When the Add Online Map radio option is selected the user can select one of two currently available online tiled maps. These are map services provided by ESRI that require a connection to the internet. The selected one gets added to the map when “Add Data” is clicked.

Adding a Local Tile Package

When the Add Tile Package radio option is selected the user can click browse and locate a [.tpk] file. The selected filename will be displayed in the disabled textbox next to the browse button. Clicking on “Add Data” will add this layer to the map. A tile package is a set of images (or tiles) saved at varying view levels in order to provide a high performing layer (displaying images is faster than drawing thousands of polygons). They have the downside of being static (can’t change the appearance, label, etc.).

4.2 Measure Tool

The measure tool provides the user with the ability to determine distances and areas on the map. When the tool is active, the measure tool box is displayed on the top right area of the viewer.

4.2.1 Edit View

The initial view of the measure tool is shown above. The options are as follows:

Measure Type – Either polyline (line measure) or polygon (area measure)

Distance Units – Units to display for distance measurements

Area Units – Units to display for area measurements

Algorithm – Geodesic (takes into account curvature of the earth) or Planar

Each of these options is an application setting (stored by machine user). They are remembered for subsequent visits to the measure tool.

The Cancel button can be used to cancel the current polyline or polygon sketch on the map.

4.2.2 Sketching

For measuring, the user is able to sketch either a line or polygon shape over the map by placing points. In the past, the user had to draw their entire measurement sketch on what is currently shown in the viewer. The view can now detect the difference between clicking on the map (a click and release of the left mouse button) which adds a point to the sketch, and a click + drag (hold the left mouse button and drag the mouse) which allows the user to pan the view of the map while the measure tool is active.

To begin sketching: for a new sketch, single click anywhere on the map to place a point. Place more points on the sketch in the same way. The user can drag points to adjust the sketch as needed. In order to complete the sketch, double click on any of the points.

4.2.3 Completed View

The completed sketch: Once the sketch has been completed the measure tool view changes to the results view.

The results view shows the result distance/area of the sketch and provides two buttons.

Edit – This opens up the current sketch for editing and switches the view back to the edit view allowing the user to modify the settings. In edit mode, no new points can be added but the shape can be adjusted by dragging on existing points. Clicking anywhere within the sketch will take you back to the completed state.

Restart – This clears the current sketch and returns to the edit view.

4.3 New Map

Clears the current map and starts the user over with a brand new map. If any changes are detected on the current map, the user will be prompted to save.

4.4 Manage Maps Tool

Opens the Manage Maps tool that allows the user load, delete, and set default maps. The map listbox is populated with all the maps that a user has access to.

Delete – deletes the selected map (prompts the user first)

Load – loads the selected map into the viewer

Set Default – makes the selected map the user’s default map (My Default column indicates the current default if one exists)

Set System Default – makes the selected map the system default map (System default column indicates the current system default map if one exists). This option is only available for users with the GIS Manager user right.

4.5 Save Map

Saves the current map if it has already been saved, otherwise opens the Save Map As dialog.

4.6 Save Map As

Opens the Save Map As dialog.

Name – the name of the map (required)

Description – an optional description of the map

Publish for others to use – Check to allow others to access this map (only available to GIS Manager users)

Transfer to Penpad – Determines whether this map is transferred to the penpad on checkout (only available to GIS Manager users)

Clicking save, will save the map. It can be reloaded from the Manage Maps tool.

4.7 Geoprocessing

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Analyst licenses

Menu items include Buffer, Clip, Intersect, and Union. Each of these opens the same dialog with the tool type option selected.

Buffer – this allows the user to input a certain distance to create a buffer around input features to a specified distance

Clip – this allows the user to extract input features that overlay the clip features

Intersect – this allows the user to show only layer information for selected properties

Union – this allows the user to combine two layers

4.7.1 Buffer

Input Features – select a layer to be used as the input features (required)

Distance – Enter the buffer distance (required)

Distance Units – specify the units for the buffer distance

Output Name – specify an output name for the output layer

Clicking OK will run the buffer operation.

4.7.2 Clip

Input Features – select a layer to be used as the input features (required)

Clip Features – select the features to clip (required)

Output Name – specify an output name for the output layer

Clicking OK will run the clip operation.

4.7.3 Intersect

Input Features – select a layer to be used as the input features (required)

Output Name – specify an output name for the output layer

Clicking OK will run the intersect operation.

4.7.4 Union

Input Features – select a layer to be used as the input features (required)

Output Name – specify an output name for the output layer

Clicking OK will run the union operation.

4.8 Pan

The basic tool to pan around the map (default tool) can also be used to switch out of selection mode or one of the tools.

4.9 Select Properties

The basic selection tool allows selecting properties by clicking and dragging a rectangular box or just left clicking. This is only available with an active parcel layer.

Modifiers

Ctrl – Adds to the current selection

Shift – Takes away from the current selection

4.10 Unselect Properties

Behaves like the select property tool but deselects properties. Also is the functional equivalent of using the Select Properties tool with the shift key modifier.

4.11 Unselect All

Removes all selected properties upon clicking.

4.12 Bookmark Tool

Selection opens the Bookmarks tool.

Name – Enter a name for the new book mark (required)

Add button – Adds a new bookmark to the current map view extent with the specified name.

Zoom To button – Zooms to the selected bookmark

Remove button – Removes the selected bookmark (prompts user)

Remove All button – Removes all bookmarks (prompts user)

Bookmarks listbox – Displays the available bookmarks. Double clicking a bookmark zoom, as well.

4.13 Property Info Tool

The property info tool switches the map view cursor into property view info mode. Clicking on a property will open a dialog containing all of the GIS property information. This is available when a parcel layer is activated.

4.14 Property Links Tool

This option turns the map view cursor into the Property Links tool. Clicking on a property in the map will bring up the Property Links dialog. The dialog shows linked properties. Double click or select and use the magnifying glass to pull up the property in PACS. Use the Print Cards button to print appraisal cards.

4.15 Property Note/Text Tool

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Appraiser and GIS Analyst licenses

This option changes the active map cursor to the Property Note tool. Clicking on a property will open the property note dialog for that property for a specific year.

Property notes are specific notes that are added and used in GIS only. If no note exists, the dialog will have no text initially. Add text and click OK to save the note. If a note exists, it will be displayed for editing or viewing. Property notes are available as a label. The notes are stored in a table within the PACS database and so can be queried, if necessary.

4.16 Go To Property Tool

4.17 Refresh Data

The Refresh Data tool’s only purpose is to invalidate the user’s cache. This option does not retrieve data from the database nor initiate any process. Clicking refresh data will cause all cached entries to be invalidated and removed. The current view of properties will be requested and updated with fresh data. The cache will start over at this point.

When the user first opens the viewer, the label data for each property retrieved is current/fresh. Once a property has been retrieved, it gets cached locally for the user. This allows more data to be displayed efficiently. As the user pans around, the cached data is used and data is only retrieved from the database for properties that are not currently cached. The cache holds information for up to 5K properties. Once the cache limit is reached, the entries that have not been accessed in the longest amount of time are removed to make room for new entries.

As the user pans and zooms around the map, the viewer will request information for all visible properties. Any properties that are found in the cache will be retrieved directly from the cache. This means the data for these properties is fresh as of the point it was added to the cache.

NOTE: Changes made since the last cache will not be reflected.

The time that each property was last accessed is tracked. There is a label called update_dt for parcel layers that will indicate how fresh the data is for each property.

4.18 Advanced Search Tool

The advanced search tool allows searching for properties within the viewer by various criteria. The properties resulting from the search are selected and zoomed to within the viewer. The number of results allowed is capped by the Maximum Records limitation. This is value set at Tools > Manage GIS. The results may be further restricted using the Maximum Records combo box within the Advanced Search dialog itself.

Note: Please allow some time for the dialog to open. During internal testing, the dialog displayed fully after 10 seconds.

5.0 Table of Contents

5.0 The View

The table of contents is located on the left side of the viewer. It provides information and methods of interacting with the layers that are currently in the map.

5.1 Layers in the View

The layers in the view are shown in the same order that they appear in the map. The top layer is above every other layer in the map. The bottom layer is behind every other layer in the map.

Each layer in the view can have the following parts. (User defined groups and groups created from geoprocessing will have the same parts.)

Checkbox – This is used to switch the layer visibility on and off

Slider Bar – This is used to adjust the opacity of the layer

Display Name – The display can be edited by double clicking on the name (or through the context menu)

Tooltip – The tooltip for each layer will display information based on the selection. Information about the data source for the layer is always shown (for SDE layers the user and password information is excluded). If a layer has an error, the error message will show up in the tooltip.

There are a few indicators that will be seen immediately following the Display Name.

Lock Symbol – indicates that the layer cannot be re-projected and currently has the map locked to its spatial reference.

Error Symbol – indicates that there was an error loading the layer. Hovering over the layer name will give details regarding the error.

Loading Symbol – when layers are loading they will show a loading indicator

Tip: The error “Layer cannot be displayed on a map with a different spatial reference” indicates that the layer cannot be re-projected and GIS has locked the map to another layer for its spatial reference. In this particular scenario, removing the locking layers will cause GIS to reassess the available layers and display as appropriate.

5.2.1 Manage Layers

The manage layers button opens the Manage Layers dialog shown above with the base level layers of the map (child layers of a Grouped layer are excluded). The user can reorder the base layers by selecting an item in the listbox and using the Up and Down buttons. Pressing OK should reorder the layers in the Map and in the TOC.

5.2.2 New Group Layer

The new group layer button will add a layer to the map with name ‘Group’. If that name has already been used, a sequential number is appended to the group name. A group layer can have data layers added as children (but not other group layers). Layers are added and removed from groups via the context menu.

5.3 TOC Context Menu

Right clicking on any of the layers within the TOC will bring up a context menu. The context menu varies based on selection and layer types (Group vs Data). The TOC allows multiple layers to be selected at a time through use of ctrl and shift modifiers.

5.3.1 Single Selection-DATA Layer Context Menu

Remove Layer – This removes the layer from the map

Rename Layer – This turns on editing of the layer name within the TOC. Renaming can also be done by double clicking on the layer name within the TOC.

Add To Group – This is enabled when a group layer is present and opens the Add Layer to Group dialog. The dialog has a list of available groups. Selecting a group and clicking OK will cause the layer to be grouped under the parent layer.

Ungroup – This is enabled when a grouped data layer is selected. This removes the layer from the group.

Zoom to Full Extent – This sets the current map view to the full extent of the layer.

Activate Parcel Layer – This option is available on parcel layers that are not currently active only. It makes the selected layer become the active parcel layer. The active parcel layer is the layer that PACS operations work on. Things like selection, advanced search, go to property, right click map context menu, etc. only work on the active parcel layer.

Labeling – This is a shortcut to the Labeling tab of the layer properties dialog

Symbology – This is a shortcut to the Symbology tab of the layer properties dialog

Properties – This opens the layer properties dialog

5.3.2 Single Selection-GROUP Layer Context Menu

Remove Layer – This removes the layer from the map

Rename Layer – This turns on editing of the layer name within the TOC. Renaming can also be done by double clicking on the layer name within the TOC.

Manage Child Layers – This is enabled when more than one child layer exists for the group. This opens the Manage Layers dialog that allows the user to reorder the child layers. Layers are reordered by making a selection in the listbox and using the Up and Down buttons.

Properties – This opens the layer properties dialog

5.3.3 Multi Selection-Context Menu

Remove Layers – This removes all of the selected layers

Add To Group – This is enabled when all data layers are selected (group layers cannot be added as children to other group layers) and opens the Add Layer to Group Dialog. The dialog has a list of available groups. Selecting a group and clicking OK will cause the selected layers to be grouped under the parent layer.

Ungroup – This is enabled only when all of the selected layers belong to the same group. This will remove all selected layers from the group and return them to the base level of the map.

5.4 Layer Properties Dialog

The layer properties dialog is accessed from the TOC context menu. It is composed of 4 tabs. It provides ways for updating the selected layer and how the layer is viewed in the map.

5.4.1 The General Tab

The General tab is the first tab of the layer properties dialog and is present for all layer types.

For Group layers and non-Parcel layers, the General tab allows only updating the layer name.

For parcel layers, there is a checkbox that allows the user to flag or un-flag the layer as a parcel layer and also to set a parcel layer year to current or a certified year.

Checking the parcel layer checkbox allows a layer with a prop_id column to be bound to PACS data for labeling and selection.

Setting the year allows properties from a previous year to open GIS and have this layer activated from the property in PACS.

5.4.2 Fields Tab

The Fields tab has a list of available fields for labeling.

The user can add an alias, or alternate name for the field, by selecting a field and typing into the Alias textbox.

The alias allows the users a way to represent the cryptic field names in a method that makes sense to them.

When labels in the map are set up to display the field heading, the alias is what will be displayed in the map.

Group Layers, basemap layers, and non-polygon data layers will not show a Fields tab.

5.4.3 Labels Tab

The Labels tab is driven by the label option checkbox at the top pf the page.

When the label option is checked, labeling is turned on for the layer.

When checked, the user can add fields from the available fields list to the label fields list using the add button.

This will determine which labels are displayed in the map.

From the label fields listbox the user can order the labels in the way they should be displayed using the up and down buttons or remove an item with the Rem button.

The use field heading checkbox determines whether or not the field alias is displayed beside the value in the map.

The Text Symbol group box allows the user to adjust the appearance of the labels by specifying a color, font size, and font.

Group layers, basemap layers, and non-polygon data layers will not show a labels tab.

When the label option is unchecked, labeling is not in use (and all other options on this tab are disabled).

5.4.4 Symbology Tab

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Analyst licenses

The Symbology tab is available for non-group and non-basemap layers.

It allows the user to adjust the appearance of the symbols for the layer.

Only the single Symbol option is available at this time. The SDK does not support the two advanced Symbology options that we had before at this time.

The user can specify a label for the Table of Contents by entering text in the Symbol Label Textbox. Clicking on the symbol will bring up the symbol edit dialog. Here the user can adjust the color of the symbol, its opacity, and the outline width.

6.0 Map

The map is where everything happens and what all the other controls revolve around. Navigating around the map can be achieved by holding down the right mouse button to grab the map and dragging to move the map. For zooming in and out, use the mouse wheel. The arrows keys allow to move left, right, up, and down as well.

6.0 Context Menu

The map has a context menu that displays with a right click. This menu provides various options. Most of the options are only available when working with an active parcel layer (Pictometry is the exception here as it can be accessed without an active parcel layer).

6.0.1 Open Pictometry

This opens Pictometry at the click location.

6.0.2 View > Property

This opens the property selected (by clicking on the property). This will be disabled if a property is not clicked on or if a property selection is active.

6.0.3 View > Land

This opens the property selected displaying the land tab. This will be disabled if a property is not clicked on or if a property selection is active.

6.0.4 View > Improvements

This opens the property selected displaying the improvements tab. This will be disabled if a property is not clicked on or if a selection is active.

6.0.5 View > Images

This opens the property selected displaying the images view if a main image exists. If no main image exists, a message box is raised to notify the user. This will be disabled if a property is not clicked on or if a selection is active.

6.0.6 Appraisal Cards > Print

This opens the print appraisal card dialog for the property selected. This will be disabled if a property is not clicked on or if a selection is active.

6.0.7 Appraisal Cards > Preview

This opens the preview appraisal card dialog for the property clicked. This will be disabled if a property is not clicked on or if a selection is active.

6.0.8 Advanced Search

This opens GIS Advanced Search dialog; same as toolbar option.

6.0.9 Search By Buffer

This is only available when a single property is selected and opens the search distance dialog.

The User can specify a distance and the units and click OK to buffer the selection. This will increase the selection to include surrounding properties based on the distance entered, restricted by the max records configuration.

6.0.10 Search By Radius

This is only available when a single property is selected and opens the search distance dialog.

The User can specify a distance and the units and click OK to adjust the selection. This will increase the selection to include surrounding properties based on the distance entered and restricted by the max records configuration.

6.0.11 Print Card for Search Results

This option is available when one or more properties are selected. It opens the print dialog for the selected properties.

6.0.12 Clear Search

This is only available when one or more properties are selected and clears all selected properties.

6.0.13 Preliminary Roll

This option is available when one or more properties are selected. It opens the Print Preliminary Roll dialog with the selected properties populated by query.

6.0.14 Recalc Properties

This option is available when one or more properties are selected. It opens the Recalculate Property dialog with the selected properties populated by query.

6.0.15 Split Wizard

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Appraiser and GIS Analyst licenses

This option is available when more than one property is selected. It launches the merge wizard with the selected properties populated.

6.0.16 Merge Wizard

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Appraiser and GIS Analyst licenses

This option is available when more than one property is selected. It launches the merge wizard with the selected properties populated.

6.0.17 Mass Update

This option is available when one or more properties are selected. It launches the Mass Update Details dialog with the selected properties populated by query.

6.0.18 Mass Update from Spatial Info

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Analyst licenses

This option is available when a parcel layer is present to open the geoprocessing dialog. The resulting layer that is generated will be referenced for a mass update that initiates after the geoprocessing event. (See Geoprocessing under Tools for more details). Mass Update is populated by query representing the selection, restricted by the max records configuration.

6.0.19 Checkout to Penpad

This option is available when one or more properties are selected, the machine has at least one Appraiser module license, and there is not an active checkout. This begins a penpad checkout for the selected properties.

NOTE: Penpad has NOT been fully tested with GIS 2.0 as penpad is supported on Windows XP.

6.0.20 Mark Complete

This is only available when on the penpad to flag the property as complete on the penpad.

6.0.21 Create Neighborhood

This is only available when one or more properties are selected. It launches the profile wizard with the selected properties populated by query to begin the process of creating a new neighborhood.

6.0.22 Create Profile

This is only available when one or more properties are selected. It launches the profile wizard with the selected properties populated by query to begin the process of creating a new property profile.

6.0.23 View Neighborhood Profile

This is only available when no properties are selected. It opens the neighborhood profile of the property selected if a profile exists. If no profile exists, a message box displays.

6.0.24 View Abs/Subv Profile

This is only available when no properties are selected. It opens the abs/sub profile of the property selected if a profile exists. If no profile exists, a message box displays.

6.0.25 Move GIS Aces to Property

This is only available when one property is selected. It populates the associated legal description field in PACS with the GIS acreage from the map layer.

7.0 Status Bar

The Status bar on the bottom left displays reference information.

Current Map Name – This tells the user what map they are working in (New Map is displayed for an unsaved session).

Selection information – This will be either ‘No properties selected’ or it will indicate the total number of properties that are currently selected in the viewer.

8.0 Layout View

The layout view is used for printing maps. The view itself maintains a ratio of the dimensions specified using the Page Size and Orientation combo boxes. This is to provide an accurate preview of what will be printed.

Note: when layer properties are changed, I.e. layer color or line width, it may be necessary to turn off layer visibility and then turn it back on for the layout view to display the changes.

Printer – Select a printer to be used from the combo box

Page Size – Select a page size for the print operation

Orientation – Choose an orientation (portrait or landscape)

Show Scale Bar – Select to display the scale bar. The scale bar can be selected and moved around the layout view for placement.

Show Legend – Select to display the legend. The legend can be selected and moved around the layout view for placement.

Show Direction – Select to display the directional compass. The compass can be selected and moved around the layout view for placement.

Add Text – Select to add a text element to the map (default text = Add Text Here…). Double click on the text to bring up the Add Text dialog. Dialog provides a way to set the text along with font, font size and color options.

Border Slider Bars – allows the user to drag a white border on to the layout from each side. The border can be adjusted using the slider or by manually entering a value.

Print – Prints the map with the specified settings

9.0 Pictometry

This is accessed from the Map context menu (right click) and opens Pictometry at the location clicked on the map. If Pictometry is not configured, the dialog will open with a status indicator.

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Appraiser and GIS Analyst licenses

9.0 Pictometry Configuration

License File – specifies the signed Pictometry license file to be used by this machine.

Warehouse Path – specifies the location of the Pictometry warehouse images.

Update GIS Viewer – option indicates that the GIS map should reflect the same location of the view for Pictometry. If unchecked, the Pictometry indicators are present but the GIS Viewer map will not update as the users pans in Pictometry.

Show Compass – specifies whether or not to show a compass.

Show Map Overlays – specifies whether or not to display the map outline on top of the Pictometry image.

Zoom Factor – specifies the default zoom factor for when the viewer is first shown

Angular Measure – specifies the units used for angles

Area Measure – specifies the units used for the area tool

Distance Measure – specifies the units used for distances

9.1 Pictometry Map Indicator

The GIS Viewer will have Pictometry indicators when the Pictometry Viewer is active. The current location indicator, shown above as a balloon callout, will show the current position within the Pictometry Viewer (where the cross-hair is). Another indicator, shown as a small, shaded, rectangular polygon above, will represent the viewable area of the Pictometry image. As the Pictometry location or view changes, these indicators will change as well. The large hollow polygon represents the area covered by the whole image that Pictometry has loaded. As the user moves around and images get loaded/unloaded, the polygon will change to reflect this. When the Pictometry Viewer closes, the indicators will be removed.

9.2 Pictometry Viewer

Configuration – Opens the configuration dialog (introduced in 9.1).

Pan – allows the user to pan around the image in the view

Zoom In – doubles the magnification of the image

Zoom Out – reduces the magnification of the image by half

Zoom – allows the user to drag a box with the mouse to zoom into a rectangular area

Location – allows the user to click to set a new location. Current location is indicated by the cross-hair displayed above

Distance – measures the distance between two or more points. Press CTRL while holding down the mouse to measure the perimeter of a rectangle. For perimeter of polygons, press the V key to create vertices while holding the mouse down.

Bearing – measures the bearing of an angle you outline in the image. You can also measure the angle between two lines by pressing the CTRL key.

Area – calculates the area of any part of an image. The user can use the same keys described for distance to create rectangles and polygons.

Height – measures the height of a building or an object in an image.

Elevation – gives the elevation above sea level of the point clicked on the image

Walking Man – allows the user to navigate through the image by clicking points on a path. It also calculates the distance on the path.

Extraction – allows the user to select a rectangle to extract and then asks the user where to save the extracted image

North, South, East West, Ortho – changes the image’s orientation respectively

10.0 PACS 8.0 Invocations/Configurations

This section covers items specific to 8.0 that occur or are found outside of the viewer itself.

10.0 Module Administration (Tools> Module Administration)

The user selects the module from the drop down and clicks Add to enter a machine name with which to set up (GIS Analyst, GIS Appraiser, or GIS Viewer).

These define what level of control the user of a particular machine has within GIS.

The table below describes how the licenses above translate into what a user is allowed to do with in the viewer. I.E. the base license (GIS Viewer) will allow all basic access and use of functionalities not specifically mentioned for the other two licenses.

Available modules and number of available licenses are set up in the config_licenses table.

Licenses assigned through the module should not be allowed to exceed the total number of available licenses set in the config_licenses table.

The total licenses in this table are manually configured as the client purchases GIS machine licenses.

A license is required for each of the places within PACS 8.0 from which the viewer can be launched. Machines with none of the three licenses will not be allowed to access the viewer.

Here is a description of items that are intended for the two higher level license types:

Text Tool – This is found in the layout view

Access Land Detail from GIS Parcel – Right click context menu of the map

Split Wizard – GIS button from the split wizard in PACS

Merge Wizard – GIS button from the merge wizard in PACS

Improved Pictometry Integration – Right click context menu of the map

PACS.Query results in GIS – GIS button from within PACS.Query, not available at this time

Ability to symbolize parcels based on PACS data field – This is not possible in the new SDK. Only simple Symbology will be available.

Spatial Analysis (intersect, clip, union, buffer) – from the toolbar

Mass Maintenance on dynamic created spatial layer – Right click context menu of the map

10.1 User Rights (Tools > User Administration > Details > Rights/Groups…)

A NEW “GIS Manager” user right is present, replacing the existing GIS user rights (see section 9.3.1 below). With this right, a user has control over saving, loading, and deleting of maps. (This is all done from the viewer toolbar with the save buttons and Manage Maps tool).

The GIS Manager can save, load, and delete any map, set the system default map, and mark maps that they create as “Publish for others to use” (on the Save Dialog).

Users without this right cannot publish maps for others to see and they are restricted to working with their own maps and published maps. They cannot overwrite or delete a published map.

10.2 Access Points

In order to access the GIS viewer from any of the places in PACS listed below, the user must have a machine module license set up. From the access points for which the year is passed, the viewer map loading behavior works as follows. The first map found that has a parcel layer for the specified year and is accessible by the user gets loaded and that parcel layer is set to active. The standard access points will launch the viewer or make use of a viewer window if one is already open. Some of the access points will launch a new window that has a viewer in it with reduced functionality. These viewers are not allowed to create a new map, add new layers, save a map, or do geoprocessing. In all access points involving one or more property, the properties should be selected and zoomed to after the viewer loads.

10.2.1 Real Properties

The viewer is accessed from a real property by clicking on the GIS tab. If no available map has a layer for the year in which the property is opened, a message box is displayed indicating that a map for the year does not exist.

10.2.2 Split Wizard (From Property Menu > Split Property)

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Appraiser and GIS Analyst licenses

The GIS button from the Split wizard in PACS launches the viewer (modal, no year) and zooms to the property.

10.2.3 Merge Wizard (Activities > Merge Properties)

Note: this tool is only available for GIS Appraiser and GIS Analyst licenses

The GIS button from the Merge wizard in PACS is enabled when at least one property has been added to the merge operation. Clicking GIS will launch the viewer (modal, no year) and zoom to the property (or properties) that are part of the merge operation.

10.2.4 Mass Update Details (Activities > Mass Maintenance > Mass Update…Add Button)

The GIS button in Mass Update is disabled by Default but is enabled when the ‘Count’ button is selected and one or more records will be affected by the update. The Viewer (modal, no year check) launches for any subject properties of the mass update operation.

10.2.5 Property Search Results Context Menu

The property search results context option ‘View in GIS…’ launches a Viewer (not modal, no year) that has the search results selected and zoomed to within the viewer.

10.2.6 Neighborhood Profile (Activities > Profiling > Neighborhood Profiles)

The GIS Button from within a Neighborhood profile launches a viewer (model, no year) with properties in the neighborhood selected/zoomed to.

10.2.7 Comparable Grids

A Viewer can be accessed from the GIS button on Residential Sale/Equity, Land Sales and Commercial Sales grids. The Viewer (not modal, year) will launch with the subject properties displayed in green while the comparable(s) are displayed in orange. The Viewer will also indicate ‘Comp Sales mode’ in the header.

10.2.7.1 Residential Sales Grid

10.2.7.2 Residential Equity Grid

10.2.7.3 Land Sales Grid

10.2.8 ARB Protests (Open ARB toolbar button > Protest button …Search)

From the Protest search results context menu (under Commercial Presentation) the GIS option is enabled when a single property is selected in the results. Clicking this option launches the viewer (not modal, no year) with the property selected.

10.3 Old GIS Functionality

The following list of things relates to the old GIS viewer and will not be available when GIS_Runtime is activated.

10.3.1 User Rights No Longer Visible in the User Rights Manager

GIS File Maintenance

GIS Appraiser Basic User

GIS Appraiser Power User

GIS Appraiser Administrator

10.3.2 Penpad Configuration (Tools > Penpad > Penpad Configuration…)

The GIS layer checkout configuration portion of the Penpad configuration dialog should no longer be there.

10.4 Manage GIS Dialog

10.4.1 Max Records

This allows the user to specify the max records limitation which impacts the number of properties that can be selected or queried for a given layer. This will limit labels, advanced search, selection, etc. 10000 should be the default value and is a good place to leave this setting for performance reasons.

10.4.2 GIS Disclaimer

This allows the client office to set the disclaimer text. The disclaimer is displayed in the bottom right of the viewer window.

10.5 Penpad

The new GIS Viewer / Reconciliation is available as it was before in Penpad. Some new SQL is added to the checkout to facilitate this. The MT components are copied out and a MT simulated from the penpad device because the new GIS Viewer requires them. The penpad device must of course have a module license and the device specs must meet the minimum requirements for running GIS (this may be an issue with clients that are running outdated penpad equipment).

NOTE: Penpad has NOT been fully tested with GIS 2.0 as penpad is supported on Windows XP.

11.0 Definitions

ESRI – Environmental Systems Research Institute

Geoprocessing – a GIS operation to manipulate spatial data

GIS – geographic information system

.NET – software framework developed by Microsoft for Windows, provides a way to access functionality in newer and older programs

Pictometry – a patented aerial image capture process, imagery can be overlaid in various shapefiles and GIS information; created and owned by Pictometry International Corporation

SDE – spatial database engine for use as part of a geodatabase

SDK – software development kit, set of software development tools

Symbology –graphic or visual representations used on a map to indicate a feature or characteristic; using category, by quantity, by a feature’s attribute, or something else. Also, Symbology can be chosen from a variety of visual effects, including solid colors or outlined areas for polygons; circles, squares, and other symbols for points, and solid or patterned lines.

WPF – Windows Presentation Foundation platform, unified programming model

New Features

This release includes the following additions and modifications to functionality:

Appraisal

ARB

Copy ARB Value to Uncertified Year

ARB Assigned Values in Segment Copy

Allow Users to Re-distribute ARB Value

ARB – Inability to Pay Taxes Indicator

ARB Quick Sign-In Enhancement

ARB Quick Sign-In Additional Access Point in PACS

Manage Taxpayer Evidence

ARB Images push to Taxpayer evidence grid

Update Protest Taxpayer Presentation Button

Mineral Property Import

Mineral Import Enhancement

Collections

Appraisal Import

Appraisal import process should create year

Delinquent Notice

Choose verbiage on the Delinquent notice

HS Installment agreement

Display of amount due in Collections, penalty is displayed

APPRAISAL

ARB

According to the state tax code, a CAD has to hold the ARB values on properties valued by the ARB for 2 years unless the CAD determines circumstances that will allow them to change it. For compliance, PACS currently copies the ARB values stored in the land, Imprv and BPP segments up to the property_val table for current and certified years when the properties are recalculated. These values are copied up in the New Year Layer Process right after certification.

Issues discovered are as follows:

• When an ARB valuation is added after the New Year Layer has been created to the current year properties, there is no mechanism to copy the value from the Certified Year to the Land, Imprv and BPP segments.
• Inconsistencies occur when making changes to ARB valued properties.
• There is not a mechanism to remove the ARB values in mass from the segments after 2 years.

The following enhancements were made to address the issues above.

Copy ARB Value to Uncertified Year:

PACS can now copy ARB values to the Current Uncertified Year through a new button on the protest view. The values can be copied if:

• The feature has been enabled on the system. This is the default.
• The user has been granted the right to do so.
• The ARB values have been set for the protest year
• The Current Uncertified Year is one year after the protest year.
• The protest is ready to be closed.

User Administration…NEW user right

The “Copy Values Forward” button is visible and enabled if the property appraisal method is “ARB”, the protest year is the year before the Current Uncertified Appraisal Year, the property is closed or can be, the Copy to Uncertified Appraisal Year has been enabled in the system (default), and the current user has the right to do so. This button remains enabled after the protest has been closed, until the current year has been certified.

When the user clicks “Copy Values Forward”, or clicks “Close Protest” and this button is enabled, the user is prompted as below.

• The “Yes” button copies ARB values from the ARB protest year to the current uncertified year.
• The “No” button closes the dialog without copying. The “Copy Values Forward” button on the form remains enabled.
• The “Details…” button opens a property detail dialog for the current uncertified year.

If the ARB values were successfully copied to the current uncertified year PACS displays a message box saying:

If the ARB values were not successfully copied to the current uncertified year PACS display a message box saying:

PACS will append an error message to the text. The possible error messages include:

In order for users to identify the copied value and remove the values as necessary, the PACS property detail dialog now displays the year that the ARB value was set on the values tab. PACS first checks the arb_value_yr column on the property_val table. If that field is null it then selects the year from the most recently closed ARB protest that has the same final market value. Using this year and other property identifying details, the value method on ARB value properties could be changed through Mass Update or SQL queries.

ARB Assigned Values in Segment Copy

To address identified inconsistencies with ARB values, copying properties or segments with an ARB assigned value will follow these rules:

• Copy Property to another year, meaning prior year
  • Property copied (origin)– retain ARB values on property and on all segments
  • Property in destination year –
    • Do NOT retain ARB values on property or segments
    • Select Cost value method for property and segments

• The requirement above does not pertain to the New Year layer. PACS correctly retains the ARB value in Create New Year Layer

• Copy property to Future year – retain ARB values on property and all segments
• Copy Improvement or Land to a different property
  • Segment copied (origin) – retain ARB value
  • Destination Property –
    • Do NOT retain ARB value on segment
    • Select Cost value method on segment
• Create Copy of Improvement or Land on same property
  • Segment copied (origin) – retain ARB value
  • Copy of Improvement on same Property –
    • Do NOT retain ARB value on segment
    • Select Cost value method on segment

Allow Users to Re-distribute ARB Value

When a property is set to the ARB value method, certain changes could affect the ARB value. I.E. the property is set to Cost Value method, an ARB Value displays from previously set appr_method, land is copied, and then recalculate, and the ARB Value will change.

To allow clients to manage these changes, the following have been added. PACS should not modify or recalculate the ARB Value displayed on a property unless the user invokes the new functionality described below.

• A NEW optional notification to warn a user when making changes to a property in either a supplemented certified year or the uncertified year, where the origin property has appr_method set to ARB Value has been added.
  • The warning will only display if the system setting is configured to display.
  • The warning will display if a user makes any of the following changes:
    • Delete Improvement or Land segment
    • Delete PP segment
    • Add Improvement or Land segment
    • Copy Improvement or Land to same property
    • Split Property
    • Merge Property
    • Add PP segment
  • The warning will display:

I.E. Remove Improvement

• The ability to re-distribute the ARB Value on a property has been added, i.e. two land segments are combined into one an ARB valued property.
  • The re-distribute functionality is controlled by a NEW system setting:

Tools > ARB Maintenance > System Settings…

A NEW user right also limits access to the re-distribute functionality:

With the appropriate user permission, the ARB Value tab will be an active button. The button will access the distribute value dialog.

ARB – Inability to Pay Taxes Indicator

The 82nd Legislature added relief for a taxpayer who is unable to pay taxes.

25.26. Forfeiture of Remedy for Nonpayment of Taxes

• A NEW indicator has been added to the Protest for tracking an oath of inability to pay taxes.
  • This will be for informational purposes on a Protest record only (not Inquiry).
  • There is already a section exiting on the protest for Taxes.
  • The indicator will display in this section.
  • The indicator will only be editable on an open protest.

• The secondary search criteria view displays the indicator as a criterion.

ARB Quick Sign-In Enhancement

This is in response to a client request for an expanded method to sign in taxpayers for a hearing. The new module combines different fields and activities into a single access point; i.e. sign-in time, assign panel, upload evidence. The dialog was built with barcode scanning in mind but can also be used with manual data entry of the case identifier. The module can also be accessed from an ARB type monitor.

Example: ARB panel schedules are set up weekly, designating which appraiser is assigned to each panel with the ARB members and recorder, as well.  Having this information defaulted in PACS will populate when a taxpayer is signed-in for his hearing.  Then if an appraiser, panel member or recorder changes, the user could go into the default settings and make the change.  Any new “sign-in” after that would reflect the new settings.

• The NEW ARB Quick Sign-In module will allow update of protest level fields individually or in mass and will be based on configured field defaults. The NEW dialog can be launched from:
  • Activities > ARB > Quick Sign In
  • Monitors > ARB type monitor

• The following fields are available on the dialog:
  • Year – defaults to ARB Protest Year

NOTE: if using a barcode scanner, the year needs to be selected by the user prior to scanning the ID.

• Add By –
  • ID – search by Case ID, Property ID and Geo ID (Similar to ARB Quick Image Scan)
  • Quick Add – enter ID without searching
  • Barcode – a letter tag can be used to create the ID for scanning using letter processing and the barcode font, the barcode should only contain the ID; i.e. case ID, property ID
• Protest grid – can be used for an individual protest update or multiple protests which need the same information added
  • Year
  • Case ID
  • Type
  • By
  • Prop ID
  • Geo ID
  • Last Appraiser
  • Status
  • Property State Code
  • Hearing Appraiser

EXAMPLE: An agent comes in with 10 protests to sign-in. The office wants all 10 to be assigned the same sign-in time, same hearing panel and to scan evidence to all protests without having to scan or enter each separately

NOTE: the grid ‘Details’ option will allow the user to open the details of the protest. However, the user should take care before performing changes in both the protest details and the Quick Sign-in module concurrently. The Details option is intended for reference only.

• Status –
  • Allows the user to assign a status code
  • The user will not be allowed to close a case through the Quick Sign In module. Codes with the code file attribute ‘Close Case’ will not be available to assign.

• Meeting – the fields here are required and can be changed by the user from the dialog
  • Arrival – default to current date and time to populate Hearing Arrival in ARB protest record
  • Appraiser –
    • Defaults to the hearing appraiser assigned to the protest, else left blank
    • This field will serve as the reference to apply the configured field defaults for sign-in and panel association.
  • Recorder – will populate as a configured default if the hearing appraiser indicates
• Panel – allows user to assign a panel in the same way as on the protest record
• Print Options – allows the user access to the same print options available from the protest letters tab
• Taxpayer Submitted Evidence –
  • Allows the user access to the taxpayer submitted evidence grid
  • Multiple files can be uploaded

NOTE: If multiple protests are added to the grid each evidence file will be added to each protest.

• Process –
  • Will update the protests listed in the grid with the selections made
    • All selected Letters, Templates, Inquiry form and Appraisal Cards are printed for each protest in the grid
    • All submitted Evidence files are associated with each protest from the Grid
    • The values Sign In date, Status, Appraiser, and Recorder are saved
    • Evidence files submitted are saved and associated with each protest in the Grid
  • The Quick Sign-In dialog will be cleared after Process is complete, and user can add another protest to the Grid.

NOTE: If the protest is closed by a user using the ‘View Protest’ function from the Quick Sign-In dialog, the closed case will not be changed by Quick Sign In values.

• The existing ‘Save’ protest function is applied to save the protest.
• The configuration of default information is available from Tools>ARB Maintenance>Quick Sign-In Configuration…
• The list displays any configuration existing with the effective dates
• A user can add, delete or view/edit the configuration

• The following fields are available on the dialog:
  • Effective Date –
    • Required
    • Controls when the default is in place
    • Does not allow over lap of days assigned to the same appraiser

• Appraiser – this field is required
• Panel
• Recorder
• Letters/templates

Manage Taxpayer Evidence

Recently, we implemented the ability for taxpayers to submit evidence through the Online Portal. The taxpayer evidence grid added to the protest also allows clients to manually add evidence.

• The ability to delete evidence manually attached to a protest, meaning not through the Online Portal, has been added.
  • This would be desired if evidence was added to the incorrect protest manually by a user in the CAD office.
  • Deletion of evidence submitted online by the taxpayer is not allowed.
• In order to enhance usability, navigation through the files in the Taxpayer Evidence grid has also been added. View, Prev/Next buttons are now available.

ARB Images push to Taxpayer evidence grid

We recently added the ability to include Taxpayer Submitted evidence as an image on the protest.

• To enhance usability, we have added the ability to indicate images from ARB Quick Image Scan should be added as Taxpayer evidence.
  • This option is only available for ARB Protest type.

Update Protest Taxpayer Presentation Button

With the enhancement above, the existing Taxpayer Presentation button in a protest needed to be updated.

• A NEW option for Taxpayer evidence is available.

Accesses Taxpayer evidence files from the new protest grid

If no evidence exists, a message displays notifying the user.

Mineral Property Import

Mineral Import Enhancement

The Mineral Import process will now import and create “Real” properties, in additional to the “Mineral” and “Personal” properties that have previously been supported. We will support the importing and creation of “Real” properties for all 4 Appraisal Companies (Capitol, Pritchard & Abbott, Thos. Y. Pickett, and Wardlaw) when the data is supplied in the .xml file format. Currently, we will only support the importing of “Real” properties for Capitol when the data is supplied in the Appraisal Company’s proprietary format.

NOTE: a single file containing BOTH mineral and industrial properties should be used for initial import. After that file is imported, separate files for mineral and industrial properties can be processed as supplemental imports for the changes.

• Users will now have the ability to format Geo ID and Legal Description for importing Real properties. The available fields will be the same fields available for formatting Geo ID and Legal Description for Personal properties.
• When the upgrade is deployed, the Geo ID and Legal Description for Real properties will be set to the exact same format that each client is using for Personal properties.
• The Geo ID and Legal Description formatting can be accessed from:
• the Appraisal Company Configuration menu
• the New Appraisal Company Import menu item

• As a result of importing and creating “Real” properties, the import process will now be creating Improvement and/or Land Detail records for “Real” properties.
  • Improvement records require and Improvement Type and Land Detail records require a Land Type. Because of that, we now have a new mapping configuration: State Code to Improvement Type and Land Type.
  • This mapping configuration is common to all Appraisal Companies.
  • It may be accessed one of two ways:
    • Common Configuration Dialog – allows for mapping changes outside of a specific import run

• Merge Wizard – If “Real” properties have been included in the data file(s) being imported, then the Merge Wizard will have an additional page which lists mappings only for those State Codes associated with “Real” properties for the run that is being processed.
  • If a mapping already exists, it gives the user a chance to review the mapping and make modifications, if necessary.
  • If a mapping does not already exist, then the user will have to complete a mapping for each of the State Codes to an Improvement Type and a Land Type before the Merge Wizard can proceed.

• Preview Imported Data will now include “Real” properties, as well as “Mineral” properties and “Personal” properties

COLLECTIONS

Appraisal Import

Appraisal import process should create year

Currently, there is an issue with the appraisal import for a collections only office. Without any support intervention following the import, the users do not have the option to print totals from the Import List. The menu option is disabled and the user notification while preparing the System for Levy may display the incorrect year.

For example: ‘Are you sure you want to prepare the system for the 2012 Statement process?’ when the user is importing 2013.

PACS will now recognize when the New Year needs to be created. This will remove the additional step clients have to take during the import process.

Delinquent Notice

Text Options

Previous legislation required additional text be displayed on the Delinquent Notice. This caused spacing and printing issues for our clients who use the Delinquent Notice process for several different reasons, depending on the time of year and property characteristics.

• The user will now have the ability to select which text prints on the notice.

NOTE: the user will be responsible for selecting the properties and the appropriate text options for those properties. PACS will not match the text options to property criteria.

HS Installment agreement

Display of amount due in Collections, penalty is displayed

Homestead Installment agreements are not supposed to accrue additional penalty when they are placed into a Residence HS agreement.

Looking in the Collections screens and dialogs, penalty displays as accrued. The calculation within the installment agreement is NOT calculating penalty but the display is misleading.

This has been addressed in PACS.

• Tax Due Panel – Statement View
• Tax Due Panel – Bill &  Installment Bill View
• Tax Due – Bills Details – Current Due Panel
• Tax Due – Summary Dialog
• Installment Agreement – Bills
• Installment Agreement
• Bills Details – Current Due Panel
• Summary Page – Tax Due section
• Property->Bill->Place Bills in Quarterly Status
• Property->Bill->Remove Bill from Quarterly Status
• Property->Bill->Place Bills in Half Pay Status
• Property->Bill->Remove Bill from Half Pay Status
• Property->Bill->Set Adjustment Code on Bill
• Property->Bill->Modify Bills
• Property->Bill->Move Bills
• Bill List dialog for OPR
• Mortgage Company -> Properties Page
• Taxpayer -> Properties Page
• Statement of Account

Helpstar ID Description of update

105992	When the Create New Year Layer process cancelled or failed, the ‘UndoCreateNewYearLayer’ stored procedure did not clear data in two tables: dbo.gpr_calculator and dbo.gpr_schedule. This is no longer an issue.
110338	Mineral import did not process international addresses. This issue has been resolved.
111786	The appraisal import was not updating the property.dba_name. This issue has been resolved
111971	The property summary export would not pull the market value for propoerties that have agriculture. This is no longer an issue.
112843	Property applications printed by group code printed deleted properties. This is no longer an issue.
113584	PACS would not update Improvement Detail Effective Year Built with the Improvement Effective Year Built. This is no longer an issue.
114260	An error occured when changing an image record type or sub type on an image attached to multiple properties.
120418	The Homestead Application was printing WingDings. This has been corrected.
121029	Adding images to appraisal cards resulted in a large increase of the print job, which caused PACS to time out. This issue has been resolved.
121211	The exemption wizard was incorrectly updating the prorate date. This issue has been resolved.
122052	On merges, the agent was not retaining on property. This issue has been resolved.
122660	Taxes without exemptions were displaying based on capped value. This is no longer an issue.
124587	Changing ownership was resulting in problems printing a DHVSS transfer certification. This has been corrected.
125036	PACS lost data shifting properties with two open protests from one supplement to the next. This is no longer an issue.
126172	When selecting properties eligible for eFile with a code containing a space, period, or dash, the program did not select anything. This issue has been resolved.
127695	When a client printed out the Income Worksheet, the worksheet will reflect Direct CAP expenses regardless of what income type is selected (ie. Direct cap, Proforma, Schedule). This has been corrected.
127806	PACS would not allow users to properly submit comments on VIT sales. This issue has been resolved.
132201	Land comparables were not copying to the clip board. This is no longer an issue.
133247	When entering exemptions using the wizard, it would not put the prorate date on or off for DVHS or DVHSS. This issue has been resolved.
133274	The printed date field on the Rendition screen under Supporting Documentation did not populate when the Print Letter is used. This is no longer an issue.
133617	The exemption EX-SV did not show up in the tax summary screen. It it now showing.
133792	Properties that have an EX exemption were producing a taxable value and a base tax for properties with a Weed Control entity. This is no longer an issue.
134092	When flagged for reset, UDI child accounts did not generate an application when the application process ran through end of year processing. This is no longer an issue.
134431	Appraisal cards were printing with incorrect income information and multiple income valuations. This is no longer an issue.
134783	When Direct Cap Expenses were hand keyed with an override while the summary value selection was set to schedule, the income workesheet printed the expense information for the direct cap, not the schedule. This issue has been resolved.
135262	When events were edited by adding a document or text in the description field, the time stamp set to 12:00 am, not the actual time. This is no longer an issue.
135405	The printer icon from print preview in the sales ratio report was greyed out. It has been restored.
135902	The Land Comp Grid was rounding the Total Land Acres & Total Land SQFT field incorrectly. This issue has been resolved.
136698	Homestead Applications were not duplexing when printing through the appraisal notice maintenance. This issue has been resolved.
137156	Multi Property notice included taxes for entities that does not exist on the properties included in the multi notice. This issue has been resolved.

109802	Properties that had collection owner updates did not produce corrected tax statement events. This is no longer an issue.
110585	The owner name did not populate correctly when a litigation fee was posted. This issue has been resolved.
121398	When Tax Offices created bills and statements for entities they did not collect for, the 5-year history incorrectly included data for those entities when creating statements from the Property > Create new Tax Statement menu. This issue has been resolved.
124462	There was not a letter tag to establish which taxpayer refunds went to. This issue has been resolved.
125509	TIF Zone Collections reports were not calculating correctly when the bills are paid, adjusted down, issued a refund. This is no longer an issue.
127009	When a Tax Certificate for a property with many years taxes owed is printed, the page numbers were not correct. This is no longer an issue.
131263	Users can now choose whether or not to print the new verbiage on the Deliquent notice.
134300	Homestead installment agreements were accruing additional penalities when placed into agreement. This is no longer an issue.
135671	When running deliquent notice processes, PACS was not excluding non-delinquent Half Payments. This is no longer an issue.
139816	PIDs were being left off the supplemental roll for imported data. This is no longer an issue.
140035	Negative interest was calculated on tax bills that include omitted improvement taxes and are partially paid. This issue has been resolved.
140304	The penalty and interest schedule did not shift. This is no longer an issue.
141203	The asterisk, which identifies entities who do not offer payment discounts on the tax statement, was not displaying correctly. This is no longer an issue.
87665	The Agent Removal tool was not showing all properties. This is no longer an issue.
87899	PACS led users to believe that voiding a payment to the fee would allow them to remove it. This has been corrected.
89016	When a Tif Collection report generated, the date line range created another field typed over it. This has been corrected.
89109	The stored procedures to copy properties and segments between layers now remove the ARB appraisal method and nullify ARB values when appropriate.