Bradley County assessor reports 2,700 parcel reviews, says certified tax rate likely by mid‑June

Stanley, Bradley County assessor, told the Finance Committee that the county’s four‑year reappraisal hearings began March 31 and that staff have reviewed roughly 2,700 properties after calls and emails from residents.

“That knocks out about 90% of the calls,” Stanley said, adding that crews have looked at properties where citizens submitted hearing forms and where subdivisions showed systematic errors. He said a second round of notices will go out June 1 and that residents will be able to appeal to the local board of equalization; he also said citizens “really got till about May 20” to finalize appeals before those notices are issued.

The assessor said the county will need to adopt a certified tax rate once appeals settle. “Certified tax rate will be probably calculated sometime in mid‑June,” Stanley said, and added the state system will produce the official rate. He explained the mechanics the county uses to keep revenue stable: as assessed values increase, the tax rate falls so the same total revenue is collected, with a separate calculation to capture annual growth from new construction and personal property.

Committee members pressed the assessor on timing and operational impacts. Stanley said much of this reappraisal work is field‑intensive and asked for additional staffing: he described heavy workloads in the office and said his office is asking for more headcount to keep up with new subdivisions and inspections. He also noted his chief deputy, Arnold, has retired but is assisting part time with commercial appeals.

Committee discussion also touched on whether to move reappraisals from every four years to every two years. Stanley said a two‑year cycle would require a separate ratio study but could return assessment ratios closer to 1.0 more quickly; he also said commercial appeals — especially by large taxpayers represented by private tax representatives — can take much longer to resolve.

Mayor Davis asked for a growth estimate to aid budget planning; Stanley agreed to provide the county’s growth figure. No formal vote or policy change on reappraisal frequency occurred at the meeting.

The finance committee expects to receive the assessor’s growth estimate and the state‑issued certified tax rates ahead of the board’s budget decisions in June.