Union County is investigating the best scenario to start a complete property reevaluation, which has not been done in more than 29 years.
The Conference Board met with Union County Assessor Theresa Pudenz Thursday to discuss the cost estimates provided by Vanguard Appraisals, a mass appraisal provider based out of Cedar Rapids. For commercial, industrial, dual and multi-residential classifications, Vanguard’s estimate was about $160,000. To complete the residential portion, which would include agricultural dwellings, there would be an additional cost of about $535,000.
“My job duties are to make sure all assessments are fair and equitable,” Pudenz said.
Pudenz said her priority is to complete the commercial, industrial, dual and multi-residential classifications first. The contract with Vanguard Appraisals would have a start date in 2017 and completion date of Jan. 1, 2019.
“We do not have that software module in house,” Pudenz said. “In order to update our system and get it current, the easiest way and most efficient way is to do a reevaluation.”
Payment for the reevaluation comes out of the assessor’s budget. The Conference Board asked Pudenz to check if she could borrow or bond the money to start a complete reevaluation in 2017.
“My levy is set specifically separate from the county, schools and city levies,” Pudenz said.
The state sets a maximum levy for assessors. It is currently set at about 67 cents per $1,000.
The Conference Board consists of members of the Board of Supervisors, mayors in all incorporated cities in the county and school board members from each district within the jurisdiction.
An assessor’s primary duty is to assess all real property — residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural. Property taxes are proportionate to the value of the property compared to the total value of the taxing district in which the property is located.
In other news
The Conference Board set Pudenz’s salary at $50,408 to match the Union County auditor, treasurer and reporter.
They also set Deputy Assessor Vickie Smith and Assistant Assessor Joni Cook at $41,840 and $36,295 respectively.
Smith has served 19 years in the assessor’s office and Cook has put in more than nine years.
Pudenz also filled two spots — contractor and farmer — on the Board of Review. Phil Price, a contractor in Union County, committed to a six-year term and Roger Ide filled a vacancy that has one year remaining. Korina Louden represents realtors on the board.
The Board of Review meets at least once a year May 1 to review any protests against the assessment rolls.
“They look at those assessments, conduct interviews with the property owners, go out and view the property and then they make their opinion on what should happen with their value,” Pudenz said.
A complete reevaluation would reduce the number of protests the Board of Review would receive because all property values would be updated to match their current condition.