Shelby County assessor presents $14.0 million budget, warns staffing shortfalls ahead of 2025 reappraisal

Shelby County Assessor of Property Melvin Burgess presented his office's Fiscal Year 2025 budget and preliminary staffing and revenue notes to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners' budget subcommittee. Burgess said the assessor's adopted appropriation for 2025 is $14,038,730 and that salaries and benefits account for the bulk of that total.

"During most fiscal periods, property tax assessments account for more than 62% of Shelby County revenue," Burgess told commissioners, and he emphasized the assessor's role in identifying and valuing property across the county.

Burgess outlined the office's staffing profile: a total complement of about 48 full-time equivalent positions, 24 current vacancies, and roughly 89% of FTEs filled. He said the…