Manager outlines property reevaluation, warns of large appeals volume and estimates revenue‑neutral tax rate

Davidson County staff told commissioners Feb. 5 the county must prepare for a statewide property reevaluation and that the state has signaled jurisdictions should begin work by January 2026.

County presentation: Mr. Smith explained the statutory framework for property reevaluations — counties normally reassess every eight years (the state encourages a four‑year cycle) — and walked the board through how the revenue‑neutral tax rate is calculated. Using the county’s sales‑ratio data, staff estimated that revenue‑neutral would be roughly in the mid‑36‑cent range per $100 of valuation (staff used a working figure of about 36.5¢ in the presentation), though the board can choose a different rate.

Appeals and taxpayer outreach: Staff warned residents will likely see value notices and some will mistakenly conclude their tax bills will rise by the full percentage change in valuations. Mr. Smith said the county will publish explanatory brochures and expected a large number of appeals this summer — an estimate of 10,000–12,000 appeals was cited — and that staff and contractual help will be present at hearings to explain valuation methodology.

What residents should know: Mr. Smith emphasized that a revenue‑neutral calculation is meant to show how the tax rate could change so the county collects roughly the same revenue overall; individual taxpayer bills may vary because of additions, discoveries or neighborhood sale patterns. He said appeals are the mechanism residents can use if they believe their valuation is incorrect.