Harnett County residents urge review of steep property revaluations at commissioners meeting
March 31, 2026 | Harnett County, North Carolina
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Dozens of residents told the Harnett County Board of Commissioners on Monday that recent property revaluations have produced large, unexpected increases that are causing alarm and hardship.
Several public commenters described steep jumps in assessed values for older, modest homes and mobile homes and said the new figures do not reflect lending or market realities. One resident said his 31-year-old mobile home’s assessed value rose from about $2,500 to $37,000 in a single cycle, prompting him to tell the board he would not support Chairman Matt Nichols again. Another speaker, Gary Patterson, said his double-wide—homeplace since 1984—was now assessed at $138,000 even though banks would not lend against it.
Residents said they will pursue formal appeals but asked the board to examine assessment practices and to consider relief for fixed-income and veteran households. Tracy Porter, who said she retired after a 42-year career in corrections, said her taxes rose sharply and warned that seniors on small pensions risk losing relief options if trends continue.
Multiple speakers also tied the revaluations to a larger complaint about growth: they argued newly approved development is increasing service needs—schools, roads, EMS—while the costs land on existing taxpayers. Doug Langley and others urged the commission to require that new development contribute to the infrastructure and school costs it creates.
Some commenters called for policy responses beyond appeals. Kamika Dempsey, a Lillington resident, asked commissioners to consider pausing new permits, rezonings and site development approvals until roads, schools and emergency services catch up. Others requested clearer, earlier notice of rezoning proposals and asked the board to reassess any fee-waiver rules that allow administrative approval without explicit limits.
The board closed the public-comment period after roughly 13 speakers and moved on to agenda items. Commissioners and staff repeatedly told residents the appeals process is available and said staff would share information about appeal procedures and possible exemptions.
The next procedural step is the board’s regular meeting schedule and any staff follow-ups on appeals and valuation methodology.
Several public commenters described steep jumps in assessed values for older, modest homes and mobile homes and said the new figures do not reflect lending or market realities. One resident said his 31-year-old mobile home’s assessed value rose from about $2,500 to $37,000 in a single cycle, prompting him to tell the board he would not support Chairman Matt Nichols again. Another speaker, Gary Patterson, said his double-wide—homeplace since 1984—was now assessed at $138,000 even though banks would not lend against it.
Residents said they will pursue formal appeals but asked the board to examine assessment practices and to consider relief for fixed-income and veteran households. Tracy Porter, who said she retired after a 42-year career in corrections, said her taxes rose sharply and warned that seniors on small pensions risk losing relief options if trends continue.
Multiple speakers also tied the revaluations to a larger complaint about growth: they argued newly approved development is increasing service needs—schools, roads, EMS—while the costs land on existing taxpayers. Doug Langley and others urged the commission to require that new development contribute to the infrastructure and school costs it creates.
Some commenters called for policy responses beyond appeals. Kamika Dempsey, a Lillington resident, asked commissioners to consider pausing new permits, rezonings and site development approvals until roads, schools and emergency services catch up. Others requested clearer, earlier notice of rezoning proposals and asked the board to reassess any fee-waiver rules that allow administrative approval without explicit limits.
The board closed the public-comment period after roughly 13 speakers and moved on to agenda items. Commissioners and staff repeatedly told residents the appeals process is available and said staff would share information about appeal procedures and possible exemptions.
The next procedural step is the board’s regular meeting schedule and any staff follow-ups on appeals and valuation methodology.
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