Manitoba Assessment Realizes +900% ROI and Enhances Efficiency with Eagleview Aerial Imagery

The adoption of Eagleview’s orthogonal and oblique aerial imagery has led to substantial improvements in Manitoba Assessment’s operations.

Background

Manitoba Assessment, responsible for assessing thousands of properties across the province, has been leveraging aerial imagery technology to improve their assessment processes for over a decade. With a team dedicated to maintaining accurate and fair property assessments, Manitoba Assessment has integrated Eagleview’s oblique and orthogonal aerial imagery to streamline their workflow and meet their assessment standards.

Challenge

Manitoba Assessment faced significant challenges in managing and assessing a vast number of properties spread across a large geographic area, including urban, suburban, and rural regions. The organization is tasked with reviewing every property in an eight-year cycle, a mandate from the Office of the Auditor General. With a staff size that has remained constant over the years despite increasing property development, the need for a more efficient and effective method of property inspection became critical.

Solution

To address these challenges, Manitoba Assessment adopted Eagleview’s oblique and orthogonal aerial imagery and integrated it into their operations. This technology enabled them to conduct remote property inspections, reducing the need for physical site visits and increasing the efficiency of their assessment processes. The oblique aerial imagery provided 360-degree high-resolution views of properties, allowing assessors to accurately review and evaluate properties from their desks.

EagleView Quote

An unexpected benefit we’ve noticed is that our staff are happier—they’re no longer trudging through minus 30 degree weather and driving in dangerous icy conditions to inspect buildings. Instead, they can complete property reviews from the comfort of their desks, which has positively impacted overall job satisfaction.

Headshot of Lloyd Funk, Director of Property Assessment Services at the Government of Manitoba

Lloyd Funk

Director - Property Assessment Services

Government of Manitoba

Implementation and Integration

Manitoba Assessment began using Eagleview’s aerial imagery about ten years ago. The integration process involved a strategic approach to utilizing the imagery effectively. Initially, only a small team was assigned to review the imagery, but as the benefits became clear, the project expanded significantly. Today, over 30 staff members participate in the annual Desktop Review Project (DTR), running from December to March, where they review tens of thousands of properties using the latest aerial imagery. The ability to review and accurately measure on oblique aerial imagery has proven especially helpful.

In addition to oblique and orthogonal aerial imagery, Manitoba Assessment has recently incorporated Eagleview’s ChangeFinder solution. This tool helps identify changes in properties by comparing new imagery with previous datasets, highlighting modifications such as new constructions, expansions, and demolitions. This capability enhances the accuracy of property assessments and ensures that all changes are captured promptly.

Impact

The adoption of Eagleview’s orthogonal and oblique aerial imagery, along with ChangeFinder, has led to substantial improvements in Manitoba Assessment’s operations:

  • ROI: The use of aerial imagery has resulted in significant
    financial benefits. On average, Manitoba Assessment
    reviews over 18,000 properties annually using Eagleview
    imagery, generating $1.3M in annual tax revenue. With
    an average annual imagery cost of just over $140,000,
    the average ROI exceeds 900%.
  • Efficiency: The ability to review properties remotely has
    drastically reduced the time and cost associated with
    physical inspections. Assessors can now prioritize site visits
    based on the latest imagery, avoiding unnecessary trips.
  • Accuracy: High-resolution imagery and ChangeFinder
    ensure that property assessments are precise, helping to
    identify unpermitted improvements, maintaining fairness
    and equity in property valuations, and making sure no
    changes are missed.
  • Employee Satisfaction: The ability to conduct remote
    assessments, especially during harsh winter months, has
    improved job satisfaction among assessors, who no
    longer need to endure extreme weather conditions for
    site visits.
EagleView Quote

On average, we review over 18,000 properties annually, generating $1.3M in tax revenue each year. With an average annual imagery cost of just over $140,000, our ROI is over 900%.

Headshot of Patty Freeman, District Operations and Innovation Coordinator at Province of Manitoba

Patty Freeman

District Operations and Innovation Coordinator

Province of Manitoba

Conclusion

Manitoba Assessment’s experience with Eagleview’s aerial imagery underscores the value of integrating advanced technology into property assessment workflows. By enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and employee satisfaction, and providing a significant return on investment, Eagleview’s solutions have become an indispensable tool for Manitoba Assessment. This case study serves as a testament to the importance of adopting innovative technologies to meet the evolving needs of property assessment professionals.

Start Using Eagleview Now

Request Demo Order Reports