Residents demand county records after claims commercial property valuations were set low

Multiple residents on July 28 pressed the Gaston County Board of Commissioners for transparency about the 2023 property reevaluation, arguing that commercial and industrial properties were valued substantially below market and that the county should release the data and calculations supporting its statements.

Britney Elkin summarized a citizen-led review that found residential properties were assessed at roughly 95% of market value while commercial and industrial properties were assessed at approximately 67% (and properties selling for more than $2 million at about 61%). Elkin asked why purchases the county made in 2023 — including a cited $7.5 million purchase of 803 North Oakland Street and $1 million for 823 North Broad Street — were not used to reexamine commercial assessments earlier and requested release of the county’s calculations and methodology so taxpayers can evaluate the evidence.

Samantha Easters and Taylor Sanders presented further analysis and explained that when valuing income-producing properties, appraisers choose assumptions (vacancy rates, operating costs, capitalization rates) that materially influence estimates; Sanders said the county has not produced the underlying numbers, market data or written explanations justifying the choices. Speakers asked the county to publish supporting studies, calculations and the list of properties included in any analysis before approving the next reevaluation.

County officials had previously said the matter reflected professional judgment during an uncertain market rather than missing tax collections; residents said that explanation is insufficient without the supporting records.