Assessor reports 6.2% countywide assessed‑value increase and active new‑construction inspections

John Solis, Crook County Assessor, told commissioners on Jan. 13 that the certified tax roll shows a 6.2% assessed‑value increase countywide. He noted the office mailed personal property returns, processed deeds and is conducting field inspections on roughly 1,250 new construction permits arising since July 1; the goal is to complete inspections by May to incorporate those values into the next assessment year.

Solis described staffing impacts from a recent retirement in the personal property unit and plans to backfill the role (seeking to reclassify to an appraiser) with training to restore previous service levels. He said new construction is assessed as percentage complete in the year of inspection and that January 1 is the assessment date used for valuation.

Commissioners asked how additional assessed value affects targeted allocations; staff said a portion of assessed‑value increases beyond budgeted expectations flows to the sheriff’s department allocation, estimated this cycle at roughly $280,000 for the sheriff’s share.