County Appraisal Board Revisits Simpson Property Valuation in Piedmont Area

The Union County Board of Equalization and Review convened on July 31, 2025, to address property valuation disputes, focusing on the fairness of assessments and the impact of lot sizes on property values.

During the meeting, discussions centered on the valuation methods used by the county, particularly regarding how smaller lots are appraised compared to larger ones. A participant raised concerns about the equity of charging the same price per square foot for smaller lots as for larger ones, suggesting that smaller properties should be valued differently due to their size. The board acknowledged this concern but clarified that their appraisal process treats all properties uniformly to maintain consistency.

The board also reviewed a specific case involving a property owned by Sean and Rodney Simpson, which had been tabled from a previous meeting. The property, located in the northeastern part of the county, was discussed in relation to its floodplain designation and surrounding property values. The county presented data showing that the Simpson property, at 55.382 acres, was valued at $6,695 per acre, which was lower than several comparable properties. The board noted that while the Simpson property had less floodplain area, it also lacked access, which influenced its valuation.

The meeting concluded with the board indicating that they would deliberate on the cases presented and notify the involved parties of their decisions within 30 days. This process aims to ensure that property valuations are fair and reflective of market conditions, while also addressing concerns raised by property owners regarding the appraisal methods used by the county.