Audit committee to review request for property‑assessor reappraisal audit; committee defers pending review of state audits

The Metro Audit Committee discussed an anonymous request to audit the property assessor’s office reappraisal process and agreed to gather more information from existing state reviews before deciding whether to add a third‑party reappraisal audit to the annual plan.

Lauren Riley, Metro auditor, said the auditor’s office received a request focused on concerns about the reappraisal process. “We looked back at the old audits that we have done. Our most recent audit of the assessor’s office was in 2017,” Riley said, and added that a specialist consultant would likely be needed if the committee adds a technical reappraisal audit to the plan.

The assessor, identified in committee discussion as Assessor Wilhoite, addressed the committee and said the assessor’s office routinely provides data and undergoes reviews by state agencies. Wilhoite said the state Comptroller’s Division of Property Assessment conducts quarterly reviews and that the office recently “passed our audit with flying colors.” Wilhoite also said the office conducts extensive public outreach — “426 outreach presentations since 2016,” she said — and asked for notice of alleged concerns so the office can respond.

Committee members and Finance Director Reid recommended first reviewing state materials already in the public domain — including the division of property assessment’s reviews — and, if helpful, inviting a state representative to explain how the state review works. Several committee members expressed that they did not want to duplicate the state’s work and preferred to understand what the comptroller has already reviewed.

After discussion, a committee member moved to defer a decision while staff gather the state audits, any relevant materials, and clarification of the requester’s concerns; another member seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The auditors said they will assemble the materials and may call a special meeting in a few weeks to consider the matter sooner than the next regular meeting.

Why it matters: Reappraisals affect property valuations and tax bills across Davidson County; committee members said an independent audit could enhance public confidence but emphasized first checking existing state oversight to avoid redundant work.

The committee did not add a new audit to the plan at this meeting; it directed staff to compile state audit reports, any related documentation, and clarifying details from the requester and to report back at a special meeting or the next regular meeting.