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Tax assessor outlines outreach, statutory appraisal cadence and impact of House Bills on digest timeline
Summary
Liberty County’s tax assessor detailed a public outreach plan, a statutory requirement to appraise every parcel at least once every three years, and how recent state legislation (House Bill 581 and cleanup HB92) affects assessment notices and the county digest timetable.
The county tax assessor addressed the board about outreach plans, statutory appraisal responsibilities and the effects of recent state legislation on assessment notices and the county digest timetable.
The assessor said the office is ramping up outreach: signage will identify days when appraisers are in neighborhoods, and a QR-enabled board will direct residents to the assessor’s social channels for information. The assessor scheduled a public outreach session for March 22 at 10 a.m. at the Performing Arts Center Auditorium to help residents understand homestead, conservation and agricultural exemption filings and other questions.
On statutory requirements, the assessor explained recent changes that require the chief appraiser to ensure every parcel in the county is appraised at least once every three years. That change requires planning to break the county into three segments and for staff to step on each property to confirm the property record card matches current conditions. The assessor described options including aerial imagery with change‑detection software, but said dense tree cover in parts of the county may require on‑the‑ground reviews.
The assessor also discussed state legislative changes affecting assessment notices. A new requirement adds an “estimate of rollback” line to notices; the assessor said the county must decide whether to base rollback rates on last year’s budget or current budgets, which may require producing the digest earlier in the schedule. The assessor said staff plan to deliver a digest for board consideration around April 1–5 but cautioned values could change before final notices are mailed. The assessor invited commissioners to visit the assessment office and meet staff.
The assessor noted outreach efforts will include an advertisement in the Coastal Courier and encouraged residents to stop by the office for individualized reviews. The assessor also highlighted that the department of revenue performs its own audits and that counties receive guidance on appraisal priorities and certification.
