Randolph County approves four-year reassessment contract after assessor reports spike in appeals

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a four-year reassessment contract at their Sept. 15 meeting after the county assessor described the bidding process and a sharp rise in assessment appeals.

Assessor Doris Castor said four bids were received; one bidder failed to provide required RFP documents and two others proposed lower base prices but added daily fees for services that are currently included in the incumbent’s price. Castor recommended retaining the incumbent vendor, noting that company met all qualifications and has worked with the county for nearly 20 years. Commissioners asked whether the county could enter a four-year contract; Castor explained the four-year term corresponds to the state’s reassessment cycle.

Commissioner moved to approve the reassessment contract; the board seconded and approved the motion by voice vote.

Castor also reported an unusually large number of assessment appeals this year—about 250 compared with the typical 50—and tied the increase to recent state changes to construction cost tables, which she said raised assessed values by an average of about 28% in residential categories. She told commissioners the workload will be handled in a compressed schedule and that staff aim to finish appeals work the week of Nov. 11.

Why it matters: the reassessment contract authorizes the county to proceed with statutorily required revaluations on a timeline aligned with state rules. The surge in appeals could affect staff workloads, timetable and taxpayers’ experience during the appeals period.

What happens next: the contract will be executed and the assessor will manage appeals with a goal to complete hearings in November. Commissioners and staff will monitor appeals work and budget impacts.

Quote: “We had 250. Normally, we get 50,” Assessor Doris Castor said of appeals this year.