Rockingham County homeowners concerned about property value increases

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — People who live in Rockingham County told county commissioners they are afraid they may lose their homes after getting the results of new property appraisals.

The county was mandated by the state to reappraise properties by 2025 after property sales fell below 91 percent following the pandemic in 2020.

People have gotten those evaluations back, and some report the value of their properties has doubled or even tripled in some cases, leading to the fear that taxes will rise.

It may not be. Even if properties have been appraised as much higher than they were in 2019, the county has not set the tax rate. In fact, they haven’t raised the rate in 14 years.

“I feel for every one of y’all. I am a citizen. I am 55 years old, and this is one of the hardest re-evals of my life,” County Tax Administrator Todd Hurst said.

Hurst said he knows the appraisals were shocking and the fluctuating housing market does play a role.

“It’s not solely Rockingham County. It’s affecting other counties across the state,” he said.

The Rockingham County Commissioner’s meeting was packed full of people living in fear after the sticker shock.

“I am a widow. I live on social security, and it really concerns me that I may lose my home over these taxes,” said one woman to county commissioners.

Her home value went from $124,000 to $210,000.

County commissioners said they have been flooded with questions from people who have questions about their appraisals.

“I have owned property for a long time, and I don’t know of any other time when an assessment has triggered this kind of response,” said one homeowner.

Others say they will appeal their appraisals after seeing their property value triple.

“It was valued at $3.47 per square foot of acreage. Now, it’s being assessed at $10.05,” said another homeowner.

Commissioners told the crowd no property taxes have changed yet, the tax rate has not been set and the rate will be decided by July 1.

Those who want to appeal their appraisal must do so by May 8. The county asks you to contact the tax administration for that as well as if you think you might qualify for a discount, which applies to seniors, those with disabilities and veterans.

There are Q&A sessions all week:

Tuesday — 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Reidsville City Hall on 230 W. Morehead St. in Reidsville

Wednesday — 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Eden City Hall 308 on W. Stadium Dr. in Eden

Thursday — 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Madison Town Hall on 120 N. Market St. in Madison

You can also contact the tax office at (336) 342-8305 or email taxadm@co.rockingham.nc.us

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