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Tax-base trends and FY 26—27 assumptions: revaluation updates, collection work and assistance programs
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Summary
The county tax office and finance staff reviewed tax-base trends, the desktop revaluation advancement for 2028, collection activity and taxpayer assistance programs; staff also presented budget assumptions including a placeholder tax-rate increase used for planning.
County tax and finance staff briefed commissioners on current tax-base trends and the early assumptions guiding the FY 26—27 budget.
Todd (tax office) reported on building permits, deed and plat totals and revaluation work: staff said the county advanced the 2028 revaluation (desktop review using updated imagery) to stabilize values and ease future adjustments. He noted 2024 revaluation growth was roughly 58% and that final real-property figures for the coming budget will be finalized by March/April. Todd also described collection work, saying the county prefers payment arrangements over foreclosures and highlighted programs to assist taxpayers, including the homestead exclusion for residents 65 or older or permanently disabled and a disabled-veteran exemption; staff said applicants have until June 1 to apply and the county accepts late hardship applications when warranted.
Finance staff (Miss McGay) summarized FY 26—27 general-fund planning: preliminary revenue estimates assume roughly 3% growth in ad valorem receipts and operating-expenditure increases consistent with inflation; personnel costs are a principal driver and staff modeled a 3% COLA and average merit increases. The draft plan included a budget placeholder of 0.67 penny (used to estimate balancing needs) and a proposed appropriation of $2.5 million of fund balance consistent with policy. Finance staff emphasized these are early assumptions for discussion and not a formal tax-rate proposal.
Why it matters: Changes in assessed values, collection rates and the revaluation schedule affect the county's revenue baseline and the options available to commissioners when finalizing the FY 26—27 budget. Staff emphasized outreach to taxpayers and flexible payment arrangements to avoid foreclosures when possible.
Next steps: Tax and finance staff will finalize property-value figures by late March/April, continue collection outreach and return to the board with refined revenue and expenditure estimates as the budget process proceeds.
