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County assessor warns Emery County is out of compliance on commercial appraisals; asks commission to act
Summary
County Assessor Chris Bell told commissioners that Emery County lacks qualified commercial appraisers required by state statute and administrative rule, leaving commercial parcels without valuations; he urged contracting the work or certifying staff to restore compliance and avoid tax‑collection disruptions.
Emery County Assessor Chris Bell told the commission the county is not in compliance with state requirements for commercial property appraisals and that some commercial parcels currently lack valuations.
Bell said Utah law and administrative rules require qualified appraisers — licensed or designated by the Division of Real Estate and the State Tax Commission — to perform county commercial valuations. With only two appraisers on staff and a new computer system that slowed operations, Bell said his office lacks the capacity and qualifications to complete the 2026 and incoming 2027 commercial appraisal workload without contracting the work.
"Currently, Emery County is out of compliance with the state requirements as we do not have anyone designated or certified to appraise commercial properties," Bell said, reading the applicable statute and administrative rule to the commission. He said bids for 2026 appraisals had been received but that the office now faces two years’ workload compressed into one year and needs commission direction on whether to contract out the appraisals or pursue staff certification.
Commissioners acknowledged the urgency and discussed options including contracting with a third‑party appraiser, certifying a county employee, or adjusting staffing. Bell asked the commission to provide leadership and a clear decision so the assessor's office can meet statutory obligations and maintain equitable valuations for taxpayers.
