Benton County assessor outlines reasons for large reappraisal increases and next steps for appeals

Ryan Hall, Benton County assessor of property, told commissioners and about 40 residents that the state comptroller conducted the county's reappraisal and that the county assessor's office lacks staff capacity to rekey all parcel changes manually.

The reappraisal, Hall said, used five years of sales data and reflected a historic jump in market activity; he told the meeting the residential sector’s average appraisal increase was “over 80%.” He said the state will issue a certified tax rate to offset much of the appraisal change and that the commission will set a new county tax rate after the appeals and certification process concludes.

Why it matters: The reassessments determine market appraisals used to compute property taxes and are prompting concerns among seniors and fixed-income households about higher tax bills and insurance costs.

Hall said Monday’s notices were a first step and described the appeal path available to taxpayers. Informal hearings with the assessor’s office will be scheduled beginning in early May; if the assessor's office changes a parcel's value, the owner receives a corrected notice. Taxpayers who remain dissatisfied can appeal to the county board of equalization, a five-member local panel, and then to state courts if necessary.

“The comptroller's office conducted this reappraisal,” Hall said. He explained the reappraisal used sales through 2024 and that many buyers moving to the area during and after the COVID-19 period pushed market values higher. Hall acknowledged the change produces “sticker shock” but repeatedly emphasized the appraisal process and the certified-rate mechanism under state law.

Hall also addressed farmland and greenbelt classifications. He said greenbelt values remain capped by statute and that many agricultural and timber parcels will see substantially lower taxable values after greenbelt adjustments. He recommended property owners review their parcels for the appropriate greenbelt status and bring documentation to the assessor’s office if they believe the classification is incorrect.

Commissioners and residents asked about timing and likely tax outcomes. Hall said he was unable to predict individual tax bills until the county has the state-certified tax rate but said the county has not adopted a countywide tax increase since the 2015 reappraisal. He also said the assessor’s office will make a prolonged period available for appointments and appeals in June and that the commission is likely to call a special meeting to set the new rate once appeals are processed.

The meeting also included multiple public speakers who described the local impact of higher appraisals and raised concerns about seniors on fixed incomes and insurance increases. Commissioners responded that the commission will work through the certified-rate process and encouraged residents to complete informal hearings and appeals if they have parcel-specific evidence.

The assessor said he and staff will be available for individual parcel reviews and urged residents to use the informal-hearing process as the first step.

Hall closed by reminding residents the state does not retain local property tax dollars: “The state comptroller's office doesn't get a dime of Benton County residents’ property tax money,” he said.

Residents seeking help were advised to contact the assessor’s office to schedule an informal hearing and to watch for second notices expected in May.

Ending: The commission took no formal vote on tax rates at the meeting; commissioners said they expect to set a rate after the assessor completes appeals and the comptroller issues the certified tax rate.