Jones County board approves budget moves after countywide property re-evaluation

Miss Lee, representing the Board of Assessors, told the Jones County Board of Commissioners on June 1 that a countywide re-evaluation conducted by a contracted technical appraisal firm shows a combination of real growth and an assessed-value increase "just under 10% of the total net digest," and she urged the board to reallocate existing funds to cover contracted appraisal services and related cyclical expenses.

"I believe that the re-evaluation was money well spent," Miss Lee said, adding that the county had outsourced many appraisal services because it remains understaffed and needs technical support. She said assessment notices must be mailed by July 1, after which taxpayers will have a 45-day appeal window. "The contract we have with technical appraisal requires them to defend their evaluations," she said.

To fund the contracted services that begin July 1, a commissioner moved to transfer $100,000 from the regular employee salary fund to professional services. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Miss Lee told the board the transfer covers cyclical costs tied to the re-evaluation and the start of the technical appraisal contract.

Separately, Miss Lee described $38,000 in unanticipated expenses related to the re-evaluation, including about $11,000 in printing costs for property cards, roughly $3,400 tied to negotiating out of a prior five-year technology contract, and an itemized furniture need for the appraiser office (estimates varied). The board amended an initial request and approved a $15,000 budget amendment from contingency to cover the immediate $11,000 printing cost and other near-term needs; the motion to amend was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Board members stressed the need to educate residents about the difference between a change in value and the accuracy of appraised values, and warned that appeals can produce inconsistent outcomes depending on who hears them. Miss Lee said outsourcing the detailed appraisal work reduces the county's direct exposure during appeals: "They could defend their evaluations," she said of the contractor.

Miss Lee said the re-evaluation and its suggested digest will allow the board to consider rolling millage rates; she recommended working with the incoming chief appraiser, who starts June 15, to finalize staffing and office reconfiguration. The board directed staff to include the items on upcoming agendas and to provide a detailed breakdown of the $38,000 overage when available.

The meeting moved on after the votes; commissioners later called for an executive session on personnel and real estate matters.