The Collin County Assessor's Office reported to the Collin County Board of Commissioners that overall real-property values rose only modestly this year, with an aggregate increase the office estimated at about 4 percent.

Pam, chief appraiser for the Collin County Assessor's Office, said, "we made some increases, not hugely this year," and described how the office applies an aggregate ratio across the county rather than raising every property by the same percentage. "That's an aggregate," she said when asked whether the increase was about 4 percent.

Pam said the office conducts a physical inspection on one-sixth of the county each year and uses sales from the prior one to three years (statutorily up to five years) to update valuations. She told commissioners the office’s inspection next year will cover the West End, and that Port Angeles had been the focus this year.

The assessor's office also purchased new software, referred to in the meeting as Cyclonia, that provides street views and helped inspectors move through denser areas faster. "We use that as one of our tools this year and it helped us get through a little faster," Pam said.

The office reported a countywide total assessed value in the prior certification at about $16.6 billion and said the current year’s total is near $17.0 billion. Pam also said the office tracked about $35 million in new-construction value separately for the certification.

Staffing constraints were repeatedly cited. Pam said the office had been understaffed, had medical leaves that affected a personal-property specialist, and would not send all personal-property notices on the normal schedule. "We will not be sending out all personal property notices," she said, warning some Board of Equalization hearings could be scheduled later because of the delay.

On valuation policy, Pam emphasized the office’s primary obligation to uniform tax distribution: "Our sole function is tax distribution in a uniform manner," she said, adding that the office often takes a conservative approach in areas with limited sales data to preserve equitable distribution across taxpayers.

Commission members asked questions about inspection cycles, construction activity and software. No formal votes beyond routine approval of minutes were taken during the presentation.

The assessor's office said it will continue monitoring sales and will adjust valuations as additional sales data confirm market direction.

Less-critical details: staff members named during the meeting included Dan (a statistician/appraiser), Laurie (staff who inputs certified values), and Lonnie (recognized by the chief appraiser for her work). The office said some senior and personal-property petitions might be delayed because of the staffing shortfall.