Commission approves amendment cutting $10,000 from assessor part-time line after debate

Carter County commissioners on Thursday voted to remove $10,000 from the assessor’s part‑time budget line and to strip certification payouts from the assessor’s salary line, approving the change 3-2 after extended debate over budget presentation and accounting treatment.

The move followed a detailed presentation from Assessor Shane Simmerly about reappraisal-year workload, the need for additional part‑time field help and requests for certification stipends. Commissioners expressed concern about placing recurring salary increases inside a departmental base rather than handling one‑time training stipends through the budget committee.

Simmerly said the office needs extra part‑time staff to complete a full reappraisal covering roughly 35,000 parcels and described multiple near‑term retirements that would leave the office with limited experienced staff. He requested increases in part‑time pay and a line for certification-related payments so employees who complete state training could be retained.

Several commissioners urged treating certification payments as one‑time stipends rather than permanent salary increases. One commissioner suggested that when employees complete state certification courses they return to budget to request stipend payments with evidence of completion; that process would avoid reserving funds in a department budget that may not be used.

A motion to remove certification payouts and $10,000 from the assessor’s part‑time line passed on a roll call: Commissioners Bridal Johnson, Gary Kim and Ginger Holden voted yes; Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Gary Stout voted no. The commission chair directed staff to work with finance staff (Carolyn) and return the item to the committee with clarified line items.

The discussion also examined how prior reappraisal years handled similar costs, rental/scanning expenses for large maps and the transfer of existing staff between assessor and reappraisal lines. Commissioners and staff noted the county has historically handled one‑time certification payouts through a separate process rather than as permanent salary lines.

Commissioners said they expect Assessor Simmerly and finance staff to reconvene and present a revised approach that separates recurring payroll items from one‑time training stipends.

Votes at a glance: Motion to remove certification payouts and $10,000 from assessor part‑time line — Outcome: approved (Yes: Bridal Johnson, Gary Kim, Ginger Holden; No: Smith, Gary Stout).