Assessor presents workload metrics, requests staff additions and system planning for FY26

Kootenai County Assessor Bela Kovacs and Chief Deputy Dyson Savage presented a data‑driven FY26 budget package to the Board of County Commissioners on May 29, telling commissioners the assessor’s office is carrying an elevated workload and requesting staff changes, prorated personnel costing, and planning for a new assessment system.

Dyson Savage summarized growth and productivity metrics used to justify personnel requests. After adjusting nationally derived benchmarks for region and local factors, Savage said the office’s “ideal range is 2,780 parcels per appraisal employee.” He said the office currently has 28 appraisal staff (with two vacancies), producing a current load of roughly 3,482 parcels per appraisal employee — a level Savage described as producing overtime, burnout and operational strain. To reach the target, the assessor’s office requested increasing appraisal staff to 35 full‑time appraisal employees and a range of career progressions and conversions across divisions (residential, commercial, data and development, DMV, land records/mapping). Savage said modest growth of about 1.6% in parcel counts would keep the office near the target after the hires.

Specific personnel and organizational requests included converting an existing tech position to an appraiser, hiring two additional residential appraiser I positions, a commercial appraiser 3 focused on income valuation, progression requests (appraiser 1→2, 2→3 and other step…