Bryan Do

1) Do you believe the Assessor's office can play a role in building a culture of historic and environmental preservation in Santa Clara County? If so, what initiatives will you support or champion?

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Yes, absolutely. The Assessor's office has unique tools to encourage preservation while maintaining fair and accurate assessments.

As County Assessor, I would champion several key initiatives:

Supporting the Mills Act Program: I will work to further streamline the Mills Act  contract process, which provides property tax incentives for owners who restore and maintain historic properties. By making this program more accessible and clearly communicating its benefits, we can encourage more property owners to preserve Santa Clara County's architectural heritage rather than demolish historic structures.  

(https://plandev.santaclaracounty.gov/hearings-and-committees/historical-heritage-commission/mills-act)

Data and Transparency: I will develop a publicly accessible database identifying historically significant properties and their assessment status. This transparency helps community groups, preservationists, and property owners work together before buildings are at risk. Knowledge is the first step toward preservation.

Solar and Green Building Incentives: I'm committed to ensuring property owners understand that renewable energy improvements and certain environmental upgrades are excluded from reassessment under Proposition 13. Clear guidance from the Assessor's office can remove uncertainty that sometimes discourages eco-friendly improvements.

Partnerships for Education: The Assessor's office should partner with local preservation organizations, environmental groups, and historical societies to educate property owners about available tax benefits and the cultural value of preservation. Many owners simply don't know what incentives exist.

Fair taxation and community preservation aren't competing goals—they're complementary. The Assessor's office can be a bridge between maintaining accurate property values and supporting the environmental and historic character that makes Santa Clara County special.

2) How do you think historic preservation and open space/agricultural land conservation can help create and sustain a vibrant and culturally diverse future for Santa Clara County? Is there a particular project or effort you have undertaken--either professionally or personally-- that best highlights the community benefits you see from preservation of historic sites and cultural landscapes? ​

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Historic preservation and agricultural land conservation aren't luxuries—they're essential to maintaining Santa Clara County's identity as we grow. When we preserve historic neighborhoods, working landscapes, and cultural sites, we create anchors of authenticity that prevent our communities from becoming indistinguishable corridors for retail shops or tech companies. These places tell the story of who we are: the agricultural heritage, the diverse immigrant communities that built this valley, the architectural legacy that reflects generations of innovation.

Preserved historic districts support small businesses and local artists. Protected farmland provides fresh food, green space, and a connection to the land that families treasure. These aren't competing with our future—they're essential to it. A truly vibrant Santa Clara County honors the Japanese American farmers of Japantown, the Spanish Colonial missions, the Victorian neighborhoods of San Jose, the Little Saigon and its surrounding neighborhood and the orchards that once defined us as the Valley of Heart's Delights, while making room for continued innovation for generations to come.

The Assessor's role is to ensure that property owners who choose preservation aren't financially penalized for doing what's right for the community. That's not just good policy—it's essential to keeping Santa Clara County a place where our history lives alongside our future.

(On a personal level, when developers have asked for my firm's assistance for their projects, if and when applicable, I have insisted the developers/contractors to honor the history and heritage as condition of our investment.  In the case of the Burbank Theater, I would asked the developers and contractors about how they would preserve the signage, the marquee, the doors and any other items of significant historical values. After speaking with community member, I would also ask the developer to  consider creating a space for a movie screening and/or for cultural gathering as part of paying homage to the history of the Burbank Theater.  On a personal note, I have turned down projects that are potentially profitable when the developers are less than cooperative with the need for historical preserveration.)

3) What steps will you take to ensure Mills Act historic properties are assessed consistently and fairly, and are communicated to the public? Can you commit to working with Mills Act property owners to improve consistent communications on county-wide guidelines and assessment calculations?

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Yes, I commit to complete transparency and consistency in Mills Act assessments. This program only works if property owners trust the process and understand exactly how their assessments are calculated.

Here's my plan:

Standardized Assessment Guidelines: I will develop and publish clear, county-wide Mills Act assessment guidelines that every property owner can access online. No more confusion about methodologies. No more inconsistent treatment. Every Mills Act property will be assessed using the same transparent criteria, and those criteria will be publicly available.

Annual Mills Act Reports: I will issue an annual public report detailing every Mills Act property, its assessment calculation, and the methodology used. Transparency builds trust, and property owners deserve to see that the system is fair.

Dedicated Mills Act Liaison: I'm establishing a dedicated staff position to serve as the point of contact for all Mills Act property owners. This person will provide consistent guidance, answer questions promptly, and ensure every property owner understands their assessment before they receive it.

Educational Resources: I'm creating comprehensive online resources—videos, FAQs, calculation examples—that demystify the Mills Act assessment process. Property owners should never feel they're navigating this alone.

The Mills Act is too important to leave to chance. As County Assessor, I'm personally committed to making this program a model of fairness, consistency, and communication.

4) How will you support the Williamson Land Conservation Act, valuation based on income capability rather than market value, giving tax relief to property owners who agree to restrict their land to agricultural and compatible open space uses?

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I am fully committed to supporting the Williamson Act and ensuring it is administered with absolute accuracy and consistency. This program is critical to preserving Santa Clara County's remaining agricultural land and open space, and property owners who participate deserve fair treatment and reliable assessments.

As County Assessor, I will:

Ensure Accurate Income-Based Valuations: Williamson Act properties must be assessed based on their agricultural income capability, not market value. I will ensure my staff is thoroughly trained in agricultural valuation methodologies and that we're using current, accurate data on crop yields, operating costs, and agricultural income. These assessments require specialized expertise, and I'm committed to maintaining that knowledge within the office.

Provide Clear, Consistent Guidance: Property owners need to understand how their land is valued under the Williamson Act. I will publish transparent guidelines explaining our valuation methodology and office to be available to answer questions. When landowners understand the process, they can make informed decisions about participation.

Monitor and Audit for Consistency: I will implement regular internal audits to ensure all Williamson Act properties are assessed using the same standards. Fairness means treating similar properties similarly, regardless of location within the county.

Support Program Integrity: The Williamson Act only works if it's administered correctly. I will work closely with the County Agricultural Commissioner and planning departments to ensure enrollment and compliance are handled properly, protecting both taxpayers and the program's conservation goals.

The Williamson Act is one of California's most effective conservation tools. As Assessor, my job is to ensure it works fairly and accurately for everyone who participates.

5) Are there other tools you are aware of to help landowners of heritage cultural landscapes (including farms/orchards, open space, ranches, and environmentally sensitive grounds and resources) with their conservation, to allow these heritage lands to be utilized and recognized in line with their historic and cultural significance to Santa Clara County? 

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Yes, there are several underutilized tools that can help landowners preserve heritage cultural landscapes, and the Assessor's office has an important role in making these tools accessible and understandable.

California Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act): As mentioned, this remains the primary tool for agricultural and open space preservation, and I'm committed to its proper administration.

Open Space Easements: Conservation easements can provide property tax relief under the California Constitution's open space provisions. However, many landowners don't understand how these easements affect their assessments. I will create clear educational materials explaining how donated or purchased easements are valued and how they impact property taxes.

Historic Property Contracts (Mills Act): While typically used for buildings, Mills Act contracts can also apply to historically significant landscapes and grounds. I will work with preservation groups to identify heritage landscapes that might qualify and ensure property owners understand this option.

Agricultural Preserve Programs: I will ensure landowners understand how agricultural preserve status affects their assessments and work with the County to identify additional lands that might benefit from these protections.

Assessment Transparency for Heritage Properties: The Assessor's office maintains detailed records on every property. I will ensure that properties with heritage landscape designations are properly noted in our system and that these designations are considered appropriately in assessment decisions when legally permitted.

Interagency Coordination: I commit to working closely with the Agricultural Commissioner, Planning Department, Parks Department, and Open Space Authority to ensure landowners receive comprehensive information about all available conservation tools. The Assessor's office shouldn't work in isolation—we should be part of a coordinated conservation effort.

My role as Assessor is to ensure that when landowners use these tools, they're assessed fairly and consistently according to the law. But equally important, I can help connect landowners with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about preserving their heritage lands.