County assessor warns of large property value increases; notices expected soon

Fred Pearson of Visions Government Solutions updated the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors on the company’s completion of appraisal work and the schedule for mailing reassessment notices to property owners.

Pearson said the reassessment, which relies on 2024–25 residential sales in Appomattox County, is likely to show an average increase of “between 60 to 70 percent.” He described that as probably the largest increase the county has seen in 40 years and said the firm must reflect market value based on local sales. “I don't like getting large increases, but I have to reflect the market value,” Pearson said.

Pearson told the board notices should mail in October or early November. He said the company expects three ways for taxpayers to appeal: in‑person hearings, phone hearings scheduled by staff, or written appeals. He said the firm anticipates three to four times as many hearings as in past reassessments and recommended at least two full‑time staff plus one phone operator to manage the increased workload; additional temporary staff would be brought in if necessary.

Regarding the appeals timeline, Pearson said hearings would likely run through December 1 and that change or no‑change notices would be sent around December 15. He recommended a public notice in the newspaper to alert taxpayers when notices are mailed and how to schedule appeals.

Board members discussed how assessment increases do not translate directly into equal percentage tax increases because the tax rate is adjusted to equalize total levy; Supervisor Hipps noted reassessment equalization reduces the direct tax impact on individual owners. No formal action was taken at the meeting on assessment staffing or budget adjustments; Pearson asked staff to coordinate outreach and help prepare for a larger number of hearings.