Orange County board adopts resolution to establish real estate assessment department; ordinance hearing set for Oct. 8

The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt a resolution establishing a real estate assessment department, a change made possible by recent state legislation.

Linda Bradley, deputy county administrator, told the board the General Assembly approved Senate Bill 9 earlier this year, which permits localities to create a real estate assessment department. Bradley explained the resolution is the next formal step and that an implementing ordinance — which will set timelines, establish a board of equalization and outline a short fiscal assessment year — requires a public hearing.

"This past winter, the General Assembly adopted legislation in Senate Bill 9 to add Orange County to the list of localities that are permitted to establish a real estate department," Bradley said, and staff recommended scheduling the ordinance's public hearing for Oct. 8.

The board approved the resolution by roll call (5–0). Supervisors also authorized staff to schedule the required public hearing and to advertise the ordinance; staff noted the hybrid "calendar/fiscal year" approach the county will use to align assessments with the budget and that no tax rate change is proposed as part of this action.

The ordinance will include compensation for the board of equalization (proposed at $85/day for the initial workload) and a short fiscal year effective Jan. 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025 to transition assessment timing. The board will act on the ordinance after required advertising and the scheduled public hearing.