Jefferson County’s assessor and IT staff used the budget workshop July 21 to notify commissioners the ComputerArts property tax system used by the assessor and treasurer has a limited life span and the vendor is winding down support. Staff said the state tax commission has an initiative to provide statewide property tax software but the legislature has not yet settled funding and the timing is uncertain; several counties are in limbo while the state decides whether to fund a statewide solution.

County and assessor staff recommended the county start setting aside funds in a designated reserve to pay for conversion and implementation if the county must transition to a new platform. Staff presented a preliminary figure of roughly $400,000 for conversion and migration work and estimated annual recurring support of $2–3 per parcel after conversion. Commissioners directed staff to create a dedicated line (proposed as 440002, “software upgrade”) and to consider an initial reserve deposit (discussion included a proposal to start at $50,000) to begin the county’s transition planning.

Planning and next steps: staff said the county will continue to press the state tax commission and follow the RFI/RFP progress; commissioners asked that any reserve be tracked separately, and staff agreed to prepare budget entries and projections for future workshops.