The Shadow
ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (VR) – Alleghany County residents are seeking answers to many unforeseen questions they now have upon receiving the results of the county’s new property tax assessment.
Some residents within the county are reporting an increase in assessed value of over 100% and some as high as 130%. Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine also has concerns, especially for the residents of Clifton Forge who have to pay taxes to the county and the town. “Yes, I am concerned, I have got residents who have seen an increase that’s more than doubled their houses value. It has the potential of really hurting the residents of my town. I am going to the board of supervisor’s meetings, and I think the more that show up the better things will be,” Irvine said when asked if the new assessments are a concern for him.
These new assessments are part of a process required by state law to be done at least once every six years. The reassessments, which can take 6-18 months to complete, will result in new property valuations across all of Alleghany County. While many homeowners are concerned that this could lead to higher tax bills, officials are asking for patience as the final tax rate has yet to be determined. The board of supervisors will analyze the new assessments and weigh them with the fiscal needs of the county to help determine what the County’s tax rate will be.
Under Virginia law, the overall amount of real property tax revenue cannot increase by more than 1% without the board of supervisors conducting public hearings. This means any significant tax hikes would require additional scrutiny. The reassessment process “like the one just completed” is a complex undertaking, often requiring the county to hire outside firms with specialized expertise. Alleghany County hired Wampler-Eanes Appraisal Group out of Daleville Va to do the reassessments which went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year. Some have asked why the county couldn’t have taken care of this internally.
The reason for needing outside firms is that an assessor has to physically visit and assess every parcel in the county. For the county to perform the task internally, it would require hiring full staff and resources. While property values may increase, officials stress this does not necessarily translate to higher taxes.
Factors like the local real estate market and the supply of available land play a role in each property’s valuation. As the sales prices of similar properties increase, so does the value of properties like those. Also, as more undeveloped land is developed in an area, the supply of available vacant land decreases, which in turn drives the price of the remaining undeveloped land higher.
Residents who disagree with their new assessment can schedule an appointment with the assessor’s office and potentially file an appeal. Recent property appraisals conducted within the past six months can be used as evidence to support their case. With the reassessment process now completed, the board of supervisors will meet on April 1 to determine the newly adjusted tax rate. County officials encourage residents to stay informed and engaged throughout this process.
