Carter County hears case for shortening property reappraisal cycle to four years
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Summary
A CTAS consultant told commissioners equalization adjustments in years two and four reduce assessed values and can lower county revenue; the county discussed procedure, likely staff increases, and next steps to submit a plan to the state.
A consultant with the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) urged Carter County commissioners on Jan. 25 to move from a five‑year property reappraisal cycle to a four‑year cycle, saying shorter cycles reduce the revenue impact caused by state equalization adjustments.
"There was an extra million dollars out there that you didn't receive because of equalization," Gabe Bloomey, a CTAS property assessment consultant, said during a presentation describing how equalization ratios applied to personal property and public utilities can lower local tax revenue in ratio years. Bloomey recommended that the commission consider moving from a five‑ to a four‑year reappraisal cycle and described legislative activity that has broadened assessors' options to reappraise in fewer than five years.
Bloomey and other presenters outlined the process if the commission decides to change cycles: the assessor must prepare and submit a reappraisal plan and a memorandum of understanding to the commission; if the commission supports a change, staff then submits the plan to the Division of Property Assessments for review; final approval comes from the State Board of Equalization (staff noted that board review is scheduled for its April meeting). Presenters said counties that shorten cycles generally see higher staff burden during reappraisal years and may need additional temporary or permanent employees to complete field work and data processing.
Commissioners asked about examples of neighboring counties and the staffing impact. Presenters said a handful of counties have moved to shorter cycles, and they advised the commission to evaluate staffing and budget tradeoffs before adopting a change.
No final vote on changing Carter County's cycle occurred at the meeting; staff said a formal resolution and reappraisal plan would be prepared if the commission wishes to proceed.