Durham, NC – Durham County Tax Administration staff will soon begin a field review project to ensure that all properties are accurately described for property tax appraisal purposes. This month starts the process which involves staff appraisers entering the field to review all improved properties in the county. Staff is expected to be complete the review in 2018 after visiting more than 112,000 properties.

The new project is an expansion and an update of a program that began in 2014 and early 2015.  According to Tax Administrator Kimberly Simpson, the preparation of the 2016 reappraisal included review of all properties through field and desktop review.  “The county then followed up with an ongoing, online process to assist property owners in submitting questions and corrections for their property records. We were very pleased with the results of our initial property review.”

Regular reinspection of properties is important to ensure that changes in the condition or other characteristics of a particular property can be considered when the property is reappraised. 

“With the county’s recent transition to a shorter reappraisal cycle, we are taking steps to make sure that our property records remain up to date and consistent by reviewing properties on a more frequent basis.” 

Durham County Commissioners recently voted to conduct the county’s next reappraisal in 2019, and every four years thereafter.  After establishing a baseline field review of all properties this year, the county will conduct future reviews on a rotating basis, so that each property will be revisited every four to six years, on a schedule similar to the new reappraisal cycle.

Some properties may be visited more than once as a part of the department’s quality assurance procedure.  “About 10 percent of properties are visited a second time by quality assurance appraisers, who are trained to review field work for consistency and adherence to department policy.” Simpson emphasizes that the department is not singling out the properties reviewed more than once. “We just want to make sure that our records are accurate and consistent.”

Field staff will be driving Durham County vehicles, and wearing uniform shirts, safety vests and a Durham County-issued photo ID.  Upon arriving at the property, staff will attempt to speak with the occupant, and will leave a door hanger at each property visited.  The door hanger will provide additional information on how to contact the Durham County Tax Administration Office with questions. 

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