County Assessor

Every property has a value, and a County Assessor is the one who establishes what that value is. Whether it is bare land, a working farm, a house with no yard, or a dog kennel business, as long as it’s a piece of land or a building within the county lines, it’s a job for a County Assessor.

To come up with an accurate and fair figure, you — the County Assessor — compare each property against others that have recently been sold. These are called “comps” (or comparables). You also consider the size, income potential, and labor and material replacement costs.

Your days are divided between time in the office and time in the field. You get to know your county quite well because, periodically, you are required to visit the property location. Typically, this is when an assessment or reassessment is due, such as when the property changes hands, or when the owner increases the value of the property by starting a business, restoring, or adding square footage.

Back in the office, you keep accurate records for the county roll. That means every property is listed and you consistently review each one to make sure it is up to date and accurate. After all, the information you provide is used as part of the equation to calculate the owner’s taxes, so you want to be sure to get it right or you’ll hear about it.