Board to Assessor: Take State Aid or Take Pay Cut

The Board of Supervisors gave Assessor Bradley L. Jacobs a choice Tuesday--either apply for state money that could relieve a backlog of property tax assessment appeals or face a pay cut.

In a 4-1 vote, the supervisors gave Jacobs until Feb. 24 to seek the $6.8 million he has repeatedly shunned, even though they would give him the extra staff he has said he needs to relieve the jam.

If Jacobs refuses, the board could decide at its next meeting to cut his $100,000-a-year salary.

The vote was the latest parry in a two-year battle between the supervisors and Jacobs over whether to apply for the funds to cope with more than 36,000 property tax assessment appeals. Under county law, only the assessor can submit the funding request.

As an elected official, the assessor operates his office outside board control.

“It’s just unconscionable to me that we continue to let our assessor get away with this,” Supervisor Charles V. Smith said. “It is causing untold financial losses to the people of this county.”

Jacobs did not return calls Tuesday seeking comment. In the past he has said it would be risky to accept a loan the county is unsure it could pay back. He has also said he opposes borrowing state money to collect taxes.

Property tax appeals are heard by boards of accountants and others appointed by officials in Jacobs’ office. Assessors who work for Jacobs attend board hearings and answer questions, and manage the appeals process. But as appeals have surged in recent years, assessors have been unable to handle the load. Under law, appeals that have not been decided in two years are automatically awarded against the county.

Under the state Property Tax Administrative Loan Program established in 1995, counties are eligible for funding to speed up their property tax appeals. Counties that receive the loans establish efficiency targets to increase tax collections and cut the number of tax assessment appeals cases. If the goals are met, the state converts the loans into grants.

Of the state’s 58 counties, 44 have taken the loans. In each case, the loans have been converted into grants by the state.