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Committee approves assessor budget as Salem prepares for state-mandated revaluation
Summary
The Administration and Finance Committee recommended approval of the assessor's FY26 budget, which increases contract services to support a state-mandated full revaluation and related legal work.
The Salem City Administration and Finance Committee on June 10 recommended approval of the assessor's FY26 budget as the city enters a state-mandated revaluation year.
The revaluation will require extensive field inspections, updated valuation methods and Department of Revenue oversight; the assessor said the most significant FY26 budget change is higher contract services tied to that process.
Director of Assessing Steven Cortez told the committee the department follows an annual cycle and that FY26 is a DOR-certified revaluation year, which “requires a full review and update of all property assessments to ensure they reflect current fair market values conducted every 5 years.” He said the assessing software vendor Picture Properties, now called Catalyst, will be required to produce more in‑depth reports and be available to respond to Board of Local Assessors inquiries while staff are in the field.
Cortez summarized line-item changes: the overall contract services increase is $39,099; the city spent about $52,500 for vendor assistance during the last revaluation; legal services increased $4,500 to support ongoing personal property utility Appellate Tax Board litigation; and several smaller adjustments (software maintenance, shared NEAR MAP program) were also recorded. He said the department manages new-growth revenue that “funded 56% of the city's budget last year.”
Councilors asked about outreach and exemptions. Cortez said exemption and work‑off programs are promoted through tax bills and the city website and remain available for residents who need assistance. Councilor Cohen raised questions about solar-related exemptions; Cortez explained the city follows market sales for valuation and does not separately tax residential solar panels unless part of a solar field or a lease on city property.
Councilor Davis moved to recommend approval of the assessor's personnel line ($405,412), expenditures ($110,594) and a department total of $516,006; the motion was seconded by Councilor Harvey and carried by the committee.
The committee recorded no additional conditions; the revaluation effort will proceed under state requirements and DOR certification timelines.
