Jones County assessors approve routine CUVA and homestead items, deny Freeport claim and enter executive session

At a regular meeting of the Jones County Board of Assessors, members approved a series of conservation and property-tax related items, denied a Freeport business personal property exemption application and voted to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The approvals included conservation applications and renewals, several continuations, a batch of homestead exemptions and error-and-relief requests. Miss Adams, assessor's office staff, told the board: "I am presenting, I've previously given the conservation to the board. I have 16 renewal, 10 new, for conservation, 19 renewal for FLPA, then continuations. I have, 28 CUVA and 3 FLPA." She later noted that one new CUVA application was being tabled due to a conflict and that the effective approvals would exclude that application.

The board approved the applications as presented, accepting 16 renewals and nine new conservation applications (one new application tabled because of a conflict), 19 FLPA renewals, and the reported continuations (28 CUVA continuations and three FLPA continuations). The board also approved two breaches related to conservation parcels — one no-penalty breach tied to the death of a covenant holder (parcel J4107) and one voluntary breach that had been paid the previous year.

In a separate vote the board denied a Freeport exemption application for a business personal property account after staff recommended denial because the business type did not qualify under the county's Freeport eligibility. Miss Adams told members: "They never have in every year they submit an application. So my suggestion my recommendation is to deny their Freeport because they do not qualify."

The board approved an item described by staff as KUVA and Flipper values for 02/2025 (provided by the state and required by legislation) for entry into the county system. Members approved eight error-and-release items to correct billing and ownership records, including a mobile home title change and a mobile home moved from a pre-bill to real property so it will be billed in the fall rather than earlier in the year.

Members approved the motor vehicle list presented at the meeting and voted to approve 179 homestead exemptions; one homestead, parcel J4599, was postponed because a board member had a conflict and the item was tabled until additional board members are present.

During the meeting Mr. Davis, assessor's office staff, updated the board on an ongoing request for proposals for a revaluation and on scheduling a vendor presentation of aerial photography that staff hope to complete in late fall to feed into the 2026 reassessment cycle. He also said the county is monitoring a recent law change, House Bill 92, which alters the content shown on assessment notices from an estimate of taxes to an estimated rollback rate; he said the county must use the state's notice format or risk delaying the digest.

Before moving into closed session, the chair said the executive session would review previously submitted personnel files and other documents related to prior board removals and legal proceedings. The board then voted to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters. The meeting record names personnel changes presented in open session: Mr. Tommy Crosby resigned from his appraiser position effective that day; Mr. Emery Crumley began work on a contract basis; Mindy Petrowski transferred into the assessor's office from the tax commissioner's office; and Miss Welch completed Assessor Course 1.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the meeting agenda — moved by April; seconded by Froelich; outcome: approved. - Motion to approve March 13 minutes — outcome: approved. - Motion to accept sealed executive session minutes (February) — outcome: approved. - Motion to approve conservation/CUVA and FLPA applications as presented (16 renewals; 9 new after one tabled for conflict; 19 FLPA renewals; 28 CUVA continuations; 3 FLPA continuations) — outcome: approved. - Motion to approve two conservation breaches (one no-penalty due to death, one voluntary already paid) — outcome: approved. - Motion to approve KUVA/Flipper values for 02/2025 for entry into the county system — outcome: approved. - Motion to deny a Freeport business personal property exemption application — outcome: denied. - Motion to approve eight error-and-release items (E&R) — outcome: approved. - Motion to approve motor vehicle list — outcome: approved. - Motion to approve 179 homestead exemptions (parcel J4599 postponed for conflict) — outcome: approved (with one item postponed). - Motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel — outcome: approved.

The board scheduled discussion on next steps for the revaluation RFP and a vendor presentation; no final decisions on the RFP were made in open session.