It is property reappraisal time in Warren County.

Property Accessor Beth Martin is requesting additional office help to assist in that process.

“With reappraisal coming up, we are going to have an excessive amount of keying,” said Martin to members of the county Budget and Finance Committee. “The state runs numbers. They look at all the sales we’ve had over the last three years and they are going to send us stacks and stacks and stacks of stuff to keep. Then, I’ve got people who have their everyday work to do and they have to do keying on top of all that.”

Specifically, Martin requested one part-time permanent and one part-time temporary office staff. The short-term individual would be needed for several months for keying and other assistance during the reappraisal effort, while the permanent person would help in manning the front office to assist the public.

“We key for six to eight months,” said Martin. “Then when my assessment change notices go out, we are going to be dealing with people like crazy. People’s values are going up. When people’s values go up, they don’t like it because that means they are going to be paying more taxes. So, I’m going to be seeing a lot of people.”

Tennessee requires periodic reappraisal and equalization of all real property in the state. This allows the property assessor in each county to adjust property values.

By periodically adjusting property values, the goal is to ensure every property in Warren County is appraised at fair market value. 

A reappraisal eliminates inequities created over time by changes in the real estate market, ensuring fairness and equity for all property owners.

Property owners can request an informal review to explain any changes.

State law also protects property owners from paying more than their fair share of property tax be-cause a reappraisal has occurred. It provides for adjusting the tax rate to a level that would bring in the same amount of revenue countywide as before reappraisal, excluding new construction. This is called the certified tax rate, and it prevents local governments from experiencing a financial windfall during reappraisal years at the expense of property owners. 

Committee members unanimously approved Martin’s proposed budget for 2019-20. 

Fiscal year budgets also require approval by the county’s Financial Management Committee before being considered by the full Warren County Commission.