County assessor urges state to allow visual inspections, says technology could save $2.03 million in fuel costs

County Assessor Larry Stein used the Board of Equalization meeting to press for a change in state law that would allow assessors to use visual inspection technology, such as fixed-wing aerial imagery and other static images, to supplement or replace some physical inspections. Stein said the change would help the assessor's office handle 336,000 parcels with a staff of roughly 38–40 and estimated it could save "$2,030,000 dollars or more in fuel costs." He said the legislature repeatedly rejected his proposals because opponents equated the change with drone surveillance and raised privacy concerns.

Stein and staff described the proposal as compliant with national assessor standards for visual inspection and said other states permit such methods. Board members and staff asked follow-up questions; members expressed concern about safeguards and emphasized that assessors would still need to perform physical inspections where statutes require them. Stein said he will continue to pursue statutory changes with future administrations and stressed the public-safety and efficiency benefits of reducing unannounced field visits.