It is the intent of the General Assembly that property owners in this State have: knowledge that the valuation and assessment of property is the responsibility of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; understanding of the valuation and assessment process; assurance that the valuation and assessment of property within classes is uniform; access to information which is the basis for the property valuation and assessment process in this State; and understanding that the setting of property tax rates and the collection of property taxes is a local government function.