Bedford officials are taking first steps to prepare for next year’s property reassessments.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors tonight will review a joint request for proposals with the city of Bedford to hire a firm to conduct the reassessment. Bedford City Council will review the joint agreement Tuesday.
Officials from both localities agree a mutual hiring will be the most beneficial route to take. The reassessment will take effect in mid-2010 for the city and Jan. 1, 2011 for the county.
The county’s most recent reassessment conducted in 2006 saw many property values jump dramatically, which has led supervisors to discuss ways to ask state lawmakers to alter the assessment process. Appraisals should be based on a thorough study of actual market sales and construction costs in Bedford County, according to a draft of the request for proposals.
As of Jan. 1, 2009 the county has an estimated 42,000 real estate parcels — in 2006 it was 40,700. The city’s number of real estate parcels is 3,400 — nearly the same total during its 2006 assessment.
Supervisors are also discussing the upcoming fiscal budget at today’s meeting and ways to slash several million in expected revenue losses due to drops in local tax collections.
A budget work session is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the board will convene at 7:30 at the county administration building on 122 East Main St. in downtown Bedford. To view the agenda, visit www.co.bedford.va.us and click on the Board of Supervisors.
Advertisement