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County tax revaluation raises Hope Mills assessed values about 70%; appeals process and call center explained
Summary
Cumberland County’s revaluation increased Hope Mills’ assessed value roughly 70–71% since 2017, with residential values up by about 88% and commercial by about 38%. County tax administrator Joe Utley explained the appraisal process, exemptions and the appeal timeline and urged residents to use the call center and online comparables before filing appeals.
Joe Utley, Cumberland County tax administrator, told the Hope Mills Town Board at its budget retreat that the county’s 2025 revaluation increased the town’s assessed value by roughly 70–71 percent compared with 2017. He said residential properties rose the most — roughly 88 percent — while commercial values rose about 38 percent.
“Revaluation is designed to bring market values up to 100 percent of market value,” Utley said, describing the county’s use of mass appraisal techniques and more than 45,000 qualified sales countywide to set values.
Utley emphasized that a higher assessed value does not automatically equal a proportional tax-bill increase. “We set the assessed value; taxing authorities set the tax rate,” he said, and noted that municipalities and the county will set tax rates in June–July and tax bills are mailed in August.
The presentation laid out practical steps for residents: compare the five sales the county used as comparables on the online property card, call the county’s call center (open Feb. 24–Mar. 24) staffed by licensed appraisers, submit photos or documentation of damage, and pursue an informal appeal first before the Board of Equalization if needed. Utley said informal appeals are reviewed through March 24; those appellants will receive a decision within 90 days and then have 15 days to request Board of Equalization review.
Utley also reviewed exemptions and deadline-driven reductions — elderly/disabled, disabled veterans, present-use and builder inventory — which can lower taxable value if filed by the statutory deadlines. He told the board the county expects a wave of appeals, noting roughly 12 percent appealed in the 2009 cycle and that the office had received about 1,000 informal appeals as of midday the previous day.
Why it matters: A large, countywide revaluation changes the tax base and triggers outreach and appeals activity; residents and town officials should track the separate step when elected bodies set tax rates. The county has added a call center and web tools to help residents understand comparables and the informal appeal process.
Next steps: Utley said county staff will continue outreach, the town will publish slides and videos on its website, and taxpayers who disagree with values should use the county’s online comparables or contact the call center for an informal appeal.
