Amherst County board directs staff to prepare budget at 58¢ after residents decry reassessment spikes

The Amherst County Board of Supervisors on March 25 held a public hearing on the county tax rate as residents described large assessment increases and urged protections for households on fixed incomes. After public comment, the board directed staff to prepare a budget built around a 58¢ tax rate and set a budget hearing for April 21.

Mister Bryant, speaking for county staff, said the county completed a full reassessment conducted by Pearson's appraisal service covering about 19,000 parcels and that the county’s board of equalization has begun appeals hearings and will continue them throughout the year. “The budget process and the tax rate go hand in hand,” Bryant said, noting staff began the budget process in October and that staff and department heads had worked through capital and operating needs.

Several residents told the board the reassessment results had been abrupt and unaffordable. “When Pearson did the assessments, no one came to my property that I know of to look at it,” said Carol Nassar of the Welfare District, who said she missed appeals while working and now lives on a fixed income. “We can’t afford 58¢.”

Real-estate agent Skye Packet said her property was reassessed 76% higher and criticized the use of outside appraisers from Richmond: “They don’t know the market. They don’t know what they’re doing here,” she said, and urged the board to lower the rate. Resident Jeff Wilkinson said six-year reassessments create “culture shock” and recommended more frequent reassessments every two or three years to smooth market-driven swings.

Other speakers recommended different technical fixes or interim rates. John Ballard said, citing Virginia equalization rules, that the revenue-neutral rate after a large reassessment would be about 39¢ but that accounting for inflation a rate near 49¢ could be reasonable. Steven Martin warned against a repeat of prior “windfall” increases tied to vehicle values and suggested lowering any proposed cap to 56¢ to reduce harm to Social Security recipients and other low-income households.

The board did not take a formal tax-rate vote that evening but a majority of members instructed staff to model a budget at 58¢ and to seek additional detail from the schools to try to lower that number before the next hearing. Bryant reminded residents that appeals can be scheduled with the board of equalization by calling 946-9400.

The public hearing record includes repeated concerns about assessment methodology and market valuations, requests for greater detail about proposed new positions in the county budget, and multiple appeals from residents who said they were unable to meet with assessors or attend appeal sessions. The board noted the issue will remain under discussion, including whether the county should reassess more frequently than every six years.

The board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget, the capital improvement plan and the school budget on April 21. The meeting adjourned following a motion and voice vote.