Dare County chair says 2025 revaluation shows property values up 67%; board pledges cautious approach to tax rate

Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard said the county's revaluation this year showed a roughly 67% increase in assessed values and urged residents not to assume their tax bills will rise by the same amount.

Woodard said the state requires a revaluation at set intervals and that Dare County typically does one every five to eight years. “67% this year,” he said. “Five years ago it was in the 40 some percent. Five years prior to that, Abby, it was high twenties.”

Why it matters: a countywide revaluation adjusts assessed values to current market conditions; the county's decision about the tax rate determines whether homeowners see higher bills. Woodard told residents the board expects staff to consider the revenue-neutral tax rate — a rate that would collect roughly the same revenue under the new values as under the old values — as part of upcoming budget workshops.

Woodard said notices will go out at the end of the month and the board will hold budget workshops in April and adopt a tax rate in June. “This does not result in higher property taxes,” he said, adding that the Board will direct the county manager and finance director to take a “strategic careful approach” to next year’s budget and to consider cost-saving measures.

Details from staff and next steps: Woodard said county staff (identified in the meeting as Jose and Hosey) will be available for questions, and directed residents to the county website for information (darrenc.gov/reval). He said not all properties will experience the same change and urged residents to attend budget discussions and ask questions after notices are sent.

The Board did not adopt any tax rate or budget at the meeting; Woodard said the board will deliberate at workshops before making a final decision.