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Residents urge review of property reassessments, cite inconsistent valuations
Summary
Multiple residents told the board the county’s recent reassessment process produced inconsistent results, including duplicated line items and large valuation swings; they urged the board and Commissioner of the Revenue to investigate and consider hiring permanent local staff for oversight.
Several residents raised detailed concerns about recent property reassessments during the Feb. 5 public‑comment period and asked the board and the Commissioner of the Revenue to investigate potential errors and inconsistencies.
Brian Hamels of the Claremont District described reassessment changes to his properties and the steps the assessor’s office took in response to his appeal. He said assessors lowered the sale price on one spec house by about $9,400 after correcting duplicated sewer items and land‑value inconsistencies. Hamels told the board he believes there are roughly $300,000 in incorrect assessment entries on a $640,000 property even after recent adjustments.
Roberta Hamill (Claremont) said the county must adhere to the Virginia Constitution and the Code of Virginia (she cited the code in her remarks) and called the assessment results “a lack of integrity” in the current assessment process. She urged the board and the Commissioner of the Revenue to examine procedures, consider an internal, full‑time assessor to provide continuous oversight, and review Wingate’s assessment work for potential errors or misapplied valuation characteristics.
Both speakers asked for a deeper, documented review and offered to provide the information they have uncovered to assist a formal investigation. The board received the comments and said staff would take the remarks under advisement.
