Christian County to increase board-of-equalization pay to $75 per member

The Christian County commission approved raising compensation for the county's board of equalization from $25 to $75 per member and agreed the assessor's office will pay the increase from its assessment fund rather than the general fund.

The assessor explained the board of equalization is a three-member panel that sits annually for hearings; in recent years members received $25 for the session. "I would like to up that $25 to $75 per member," the assessor said, adding the compensation must be agreed upon by the county commission under statute. Commissioners said $25 was minimal and voted to increase pay to better compensate community members who serve.

The motion passed by voice vote with the commissioners recorded as 'aye.' The assessor noted some years have few hearings while reassessment years can bring more hearings; commissioners said the higher compensation helps acknowledge the time commitment and professional expertise often required.