Washington County supervisors hear widespread concern after average 67% reassessment; commissioners outline appeals and preliminary tax-rate scenarios

At a called Dec. 18 meeting, the Washington County Board of Supervisors met with county staff, the commissioner of revenue and more than a dozen residents to explain a countywide reassessment that staff said produced an average 67% increase in improved property values and to outline early tax-rate scenarios.

The meeting was informational; the board did not set a tax rate. Staff ran illustrative examples showing how homes with assessed values of $75,000, $150,000 and $300,000 would be affected at a range of tax rates staff presented as early options. Staff emphasized the numbers are preliminary, the budget process has not begun and appeals could change the totals.

Why it matters: County reassessments determine the tax base used to set the real-estate tax rate, and large reassessments can substantially increase bills unless the board reduces the rate. Washington County residents repeatedly told supervisors the reassessment results feel unaffordable, particularly for people on fixed incomes and landlords of workforce housing.

’Pearson did the appraisal’ — and the appeals path April Hamby Crabtree, the Commissioner of the Revenue, told the room that a private contractor, Pearson, conducted the appraisals. “Pearson did the appraisal. Pearson is in charge of changing your assessment,” she said, adding her office can only assist residents in getting appointments and cannot directly change assessments.

Crabtree gave residents two practical steps: use the 800 number printed on the appraisal notice to schedule an appointment with Pearson for an assessment review, and if that fails, contact the commissioner’s office at (276) 676-6270 for assistance in securing an appointment. She said Board of Equalization hearings will follow the assessor process and are expected around mid-February.

Public commenters press for relief and transparency Public commenters described a range of problems they say the reassessment created: homes put on the market at high prices that then drive comparable sales up; application of automated/remote methods and wide geographic comp selection; and cases where the internal condition of homes (for example, a house gutted by fire) was not reflected in the new valuation. Several residents urged the board to reduce the tax rate to avoid pricing longtime residents and renters out of the county.

Real‑world calculation from a resident Local resident and CPA Andrew Uhas presented a revenue-based calculation that compared historical county revenue, inflation and population and said the equivalent tax rate to maintain roughly the same revenue would be about 46.1¢ per $100 of assessed value. “So 46.1¢,” he concluded in proposing what he described as a revenue-neutral target.

Board response, next steps Board members repeatedly reminded the public that setting the tax rate is a later, public process that follows completion of appeals and receipt of department budget requests. Multiple supervisors said they are inclined to lower the tax rate to offset some of the reassessment impact but emphasized they will not act without the full budget context and the formal public-hearing process. No formal changes to the tax rate were adopted at the meeting.

What residents can do now - Schedule an assessment review using the 800 number shown on the appraisal notice; if the caller does not receive a callback, contact the commissioner’s office at (276) 676-6270 for help arranging an appointment. - If unsatisfied after the assessor review, residents may pursue a Board of Equalization hearing (no fee) and, as a final step, file in circuit court (fee required).

The board adjourned after public comment. Supervisors said the reassessment, appeals and the county’s budget requests will inform any tax-rate decision to be taken at a later public meeting during the regular budget cycle.