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Shelby County Assessor Melvin Burgess outlines FY25 budget, staffing shortfall and succession plan
Summary
Assessor Melvin Burgess told the budget subcommittee his office's $14,038,730 FY25 appropriation supports appraisal work on roughly 359,000 parcels but faces 24 vacancies and retention pressure from higher private-sector wages; he said a succession plan is due in February.
Shelby County Assessor of Property Melvin Burgess told the county's budget subcommittee that his office's adopted FY25 appropriation is about $14,038,730 and that property tax assessments are a major revenue source for the county. "During most fiscal periods, property tax assessments account for more than 62% of Shelby County revenue," Burgess said during a budget update presentation.
Burgess described the assessor's statutory duties (locating, classifying, appraising and assessing real and tangible personal property) and said the office now manages roughly 359,000 accessible parcels in Shelby County. He said about 45% of the adopted appropriation covers salaries and benefits and that his team has a complement of 148 FTEs with roughly 24 vacancies.
On staffing, Burgess credited a career-ladder program launched in 2019 for reducing turnover: "The assessors career ladder program conceptualized and implemented in 2019 has resulted in over 60 promotions during the bursa administration, reducing staff terminations and resignations." He told commissioners a succession plan tied to his planned exit in 2026 would be presented in February and would include proposals for training, recruitment and identifying additional taxable property to help close revenue gaps.
Commissioners pressed Burgess on vacancies, whether the openings are for core appraisal work, and how new software and training might change workload needs. Burgess said many vacancies are for specialized appraiser positions that are difficult to fill because private employers pay more; he also said a new system called Patriot will help the office handle workload more efficiently, complementing staff rather than replacing core appraisal functions.
