Assessor warns new law will require about 14,000 parcel notices; considers automation and a $53,500 land-use layer

Beth, speaking for the assessor’s office, said a new legal requirement will force the office to send notice mailings to every parcel showing year-over-year valuation changes and that this includes all agricultural land parcels. She estimated the task would require roughly 14,000 envelopes to be stuffed and cited $1,000 already spent on envelopes and roughly $8,000 in postage; Beth said outsourcing or leasing a stuffing machine (about $300/month quoted) could be a practical alternative.

Beth also described a vendor quote from Sidwell to draw a land-use layer for the parcel viewer (a quoted cost of $53,500). She noted some counties use land-use layers for valuation and others employ manual modifiers; local policy choices and potential future legislative direction could change the county’s approach. Commissioners discussed whether the expense should sit in the assessor’s budget or the GIS budget for tracking purposes.