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Delaware County approves assessor contract for expert witness in Walgreens tax appeal, caps fee at $15,000
Summary
The board approved a contract with Realty Value Consultants to provide expert testimony in a tax appeal involving Walgreens, setting a not-to-exceed cap of $15,000 after the assessor requested outside expertise for a case headed to the Board of Tax Review.
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners approved a contract on Jan. 13 between the county assessor and Realty Value Consultants to provide expert valuation and potential testimony in an ongoing tax appeal filed by Walgreens.
The assessor explained the retailer has contested its assessed tax amount for several years and has escalated the current dispute to the Board of Tax Review; the assessor said Walgreens' tax bill was $50,000 and the company sought a $20,000 reduction. County legal counsel and the ADA noted the final bill for expert services cannot be precisely determined in advance. Chairman David Poindexter asked for a not-to-exceed limit; the board approved the contract with a $15,000 cap.
Why it matters: approving an expert consultant commits county funds to defend the assessor’s valuation in court proceedings and may affect the county’s potential tax collections or settlements. The cap constrains exposure while allowing the assessor to secure testimony as needed.
The vote to approve the contract was unanimous among commissioners present. County staff will track expenses against the $15,000 limit and return to the board if additional authorization is required.
