 Was it a coincidence that on tax day most everyone I know received their new tax assessment from Campbell County? Updated tax assessments are a regular occurrence but the timing I have to admit is incredible. Adding insult to injury of filing my income tax return – we receive notice that we will be paying more in annual property taxes as well. And we wonder why these Tea Partiers are organizing marches today…
While I really can’t argue with my updated assessment I have heard numerous complaints from property owners with higher value homes that have had new assessments in consecutive years with double digit increases despite one of the worst housing markets (if not the worst) in the history of the US. I would think that increases totaling over 40% from 2008 to 2010 would be a good case for a challenge. Interestingly enough, while you can challenge your assessment the Campbell County PVA website does not have any information about how to challenge your assessment. Just choose the Contact link on the left hand menu and give them a call to find out more about the challenge process.
All of this raises the question of whether this is a desperate attempt by the county to raise revenue in the midst of tightening budgets. Just this past week there was an article in the Enquirer about how the county left open an HR position saving $80,000 / year among other unfilled positions to save money. While the article does not mention a fiscal crisis one has to wonder if problems are brewing.Â
While nothing has been specifically mentioned you have to wonder if the county is also impacted by the Newport Pavilion development delays. Just last month the Enquirer reported that Newport was struggling with its budget and even paying bills as late as 90 days past due to meet its obligations. The development was expected to generate hundreds of thousands of sales tax dollars per year but all that is located at the development is Kroger Marketplace and a lot of idle construction equipment.