County residents pressed Sullivan County commissioners on a wave of higher property assessments during public comment and a long commission discussion, saying many owners received surprise notices and said they lacked advance education about the revaluation.

Donna (Assessor) told commissioners the reassessment values are drawn from sales data compiled in 2024 by the Division of Property Assessments under the state comptroller and then applied to the county's CAMA parcel records. "The values come from the sales that are, in our area for last year," she said. She said staff also use recent aerial imagery provided by planning and public listing sites for sales data and photos.

Commissioners and residents raised multiple concerns: that notices arrived unexpectedly in mail, that county communications and the county website failed to inform homeowners in advance, and that many fixed-income residents will struggle with higher tax bills. Commissioner Ward and others pressed the assessor on what the county could have done before notices landed in mailboxes; multiple commissioners said the county should have used town halls or mailers to explain the results.

Assessor staff described local appeal procedures and evidence that can be used at informal hearings: a fee appraisal less than three years old may be submitted; photos and documentation of property condition and features can be presented; and county staff will use recent aerial imagery during hearings. The assessor confirmed the office does not enter homes or use drones, and that staff rely on exterior observations, sales listings on Realtor.com and Zillow and internal records to inventory features.

On timing and deadlines, assessor staff said informal hearings with field appraisers are available immediately, with formal appointments being scheduled; the deadline to get a matter on the county board docket for its June 2 meeting is May 20, which allows the county the required 10-day notice. Staff said they will continue appointments through June and can forward cases to the county board after informal review.

Commissioners asked for clearer public communications: Commissioner Harvey requested a published Q&A and town halls. Commissioner Means and others also urged improvements to the county website and quicker, broader outreach. Residents said many households are retired and on fixed incomes and described the increases as unaffordable. One resident urged the county commission to "find the reason" for the reassessment changes and to find solutions.

The assessor emphasized the county will move to a two-year reappraisal cycle beginning in 2027, a change staff said will reduce future gaps between market values and assessed values and lessen abrupt shifts for taxpayers. The assessor also said the county's training and classification system is based on Division of Property Assessments guidance and the International Association of Assessing Officers coursework for staff.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to publish clearer public-facing materials about the appeals process and to accept appointments for hearings; no formal policy change was adopted in the meeting.