State Board of Equalization reviews appraisal cycles and honors new master assessors

During the recent State Board of Equalization meeting held on April 14, 2025, a key topic of discussion centered around the implications of shorter reappraisal cycles for property assessments in Tennessee. The meeting featured public comments from Mr. Scruggs, a representative from Evans and Petrie, who raised concerns about the potential impact of these changes on taxpayers.

Mr. Scruggs highlighted that several counties, including Blount, Sullivan, and Davidson, are moving to reappraisal cycles of two to three years, which is shorter than the typical four-year cycle. He pointed out that under these new cycles, the Division of Property Assessment (DPA) does not conduct sales ratio studies in the reappraisal year or the following year, which could lead to significant gaps in data. This absence of sales ratio studies, particularly in a two-year cycle, raises concerns about the accuracy and fairness of property assessments, potentially affecting thousands of Tennessee taxpayers.

The board acknowledged Mr. Scruggs' comments but did not engage in a discussion regarding the specifics of his concerns. Following the public comment period, the board moved on to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and recognized eight individuals who achieved the Tennessee Master Assessor certification, the highest designation in property assessment education.

The meeting underscored the board's ongoing efforts to adapt property assessment practices while also highlighting the need for careful consideration of how these changes will affect local communities. As counties implement shorter reappraisal cycles, residents and stakeholders will be watching closely to ensure that property assessments remain fair and transparent.