Assessor Rebecca Arnold outlines budget challenges and staffing needs for Ada County

The Board of Ada County Commissioners held a public hearing on June 11, 2025, to discuss the budget and operational needs of the Assessor's Office, led by Assessor Rebecca Arnold. The meeting focused on the office's responsibilities, budget requests, and the challenges posed by significant growth in the county.

Assessor Arnold outlined the key functions of her office, which include managing property assessments, motor vehicle services, and land records. The office is tasked with administering homestead exemptions, property tax reductions, and maintaining accurate property ownership documentation. Arnold emphasized the importance of these services in supporting both public inquiries and assessment analysis.

During the meeting, Arnold presented the budget for the Assessor's Office, which is currently $151,000 over the allocated amount. She requested funding for one new position and three salary adjustments, all within budget constraints. The motor vehicles division reported a revenue surplus of $51,000, while the appraisal and land records division is seeking $975,000 in salary adjustments and operating supplements.

Arnold acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various county departments, including the clerk's office and the treasurer's office, in managing the office's operations. She highlighted the office's achievements over the past year, including recovering over $100,000 in improperly claimed homeowner exemptions and processing thousands of property tax reductions and ownership documents.

The Assessor's Office has faced challenges due to underfunding and increased workload, with appraisers managing an average of 7,700 parcels each, significantly higher than the national average of 4,000. Arnold indicated that the current demands would justify the addition of seven new positions to better align with the workload experienced by neighboring counties.

In conclusion, the public hearing underscored the critical need for adequate funding and staffing to ensure the Assessor's Office can effectively serve the growing population of Ada County. The board will consider the budget requests and the implications for future operations as they move forward.