Douglas County Appraisal Analyst August Dettbarn recently received a Fellows award from the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).  The IAAO Board created the Fellows program to recognize individuals who have dedicated their career to the development of the assessment profession and made exceptional contributions to the IAAO and the assessment industry.  The program recognizes the best of the best within the assessment profession.

Dettbarn has spent the past 38 years as a dedicated member of the County Appraiser’s team.  During that time, he has worked tirelessly on data and analysis used in the county’s appraisals as well as ensured stability of the computer environment used in the valuation process.  Dettbarn has many skills, but really shines in the areas of statistical analysis and data management.  He is the resident historian on all things associated with Lawrence and Douglas County.

As part of his longstanding appraisal career, he has been dedicated to making advancements in the assessment profession.  Over the years, he has volunteered his time and shared his talents with the IAAO by serving as a member and chair of several committees and task forces and working in areas such as technical standards, education, advocacy, research, and terminology.  Dettbarn was involved with rewriting the standards for Automated Valuation Models, Cadastral Maps and Parcel Identifiers, Verification and Adjustment of Sales, Properties Affected by Environmental Contamination, and the Guide to Assessment Administration.

Dettbarn has served as a subject matter expert for several projects, including depreciation and effective age of real property improvements and historic construction practices and modernization techniques.

Dettbarn received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Kansas and the Registered Mass Appraiser designation from the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Property Valuation Division.  His background in architecture and construction created a great foundation for his work in real estate appraisal.

As a former pilot, Dettbarn enjoys flying drones and applying their evolving technology.  He also enjoys photography and the process of creating representative images.  He has combined his love for both drones and photography by taking some great pictures of various Douglas County events.

Past hobbies include the relocation of 23 single-family and duplex structures, including his personal home.  House relocations prevent demolition of older homes on sites that are transitioning to different uses and extends the life of the structure to serve future generations.  A couple of these projects included the simultaneous move of multiple houses.

Prior to joining Douglas County, Dettbarn managed the housing rehabilitation program that aided owners in obtaining affordable housing in the Section 8 program.