Lee County supervisors explain split billing during reassessment and approve appraisal payment

Lee County supervisors spent considerable time on April 15 discussing a pending property reassessment and steps to manage the tax-billing transition. Officials said the county enacted an ordinance to run a short fiscal year and split billing so taxpayers receive an initial bill based on prior assessed values and a subsequent bill reflecting new assessments.

A supervisor described the administrative approach: the county will issue an initial 'half-year' bill using last year’s assessed values, followed by an October bill reflecting new assessed values; the second half of the tax will be billed in FY26. The change aims to align tax receipts with the new assessment cycle while allowing time for public hearings on the tax rate.

The county’s outside appraisal work and reassessment process were discussed at length. Officials said reassessment preliminary numbers indicate higher assessed values, and they noted that assessments alone do not set tax bills (the board sets the rate). The board discussed public-service assessment formulas and a sales-ratio study used to equalize values.

The board also moved and approved a payment of $92,500 to Commonwealth Appraisal Group in connection with the reassessment work; meeting discussion indicated additional payments remain possible as work continues. The motion to pay the invoice was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote; the transcript records the payment amount and approval but does not provide a roll-call tally.

Supervisors compared Lee County’s present effective tax position with neighboring counties and said bringing assessments closer to market value will allow the tax rate to be adjusted downward to maintain revenue neutrality. Officials said additional public meetings will follow once certified reassessment numbers are available.