Court told of new appraisals, votes down bridge repairs

PRESCOTT – More than 4,000 Nevada County property owners will be receiving a letter letting them know their property taxes will be going up next year.

Representatives from Arkansas CAMA Tech (ACT) reported to the Nevada County Quorum Court at its July meeting Tuesday evening, saying the company has been appraising land in Nevada County the last four years.

The court was told real estate was always changing with additions and renovations to homes and the land, and regular appraisals need to be done to make sure an accurate value of the property is on the tax books. It was pointed out 95 percent of the land in the county is assessed as agricultural, which is assessed differently than residential or commercial property. Most of the land is in timber and pasture.

The court was informed pastureland has increased from $175 to $195 per acre under the new appraisal, while timberland, because of the falling price of timber, dropped roughly 20 percent, from $160 to $120 per acre. Cropland went up the most per acre, from $470 to $620.

It was pointed out the state develops the rates of assessment, and these fluctuate. In 2009 the county was appraised at $288 million. This fell to $277 million in 2014 and the most recent assessment shows it at $291 million, though $16 million in new construction can be discounted or $275 million.

Overall, 4,613 people will be getting a notice letting them know their property taxes will be going up in 2020. It was also told those who disagree with the assessments have a course of redress and can appeal the findings starting with the County Board of Equalization. Those who aren’t satisfied with the board’s findings can appeal to county court and go before the county judge. The final step would be to go before the Circuit Court, which would require the hiring of an attorney.

As far as homestead taxes go, the court was told they can’t increase more than 5 percent a year by law. It was also told taxes can change based on millage rates. Funds from millage rates primarily go to school districts, but a portion is also used for cities, counties, libraries and county roads. The court was also told the homestead tax credit will increase from $350 to $375, and reminded this is confusing because property taxes are paid for the previous year, not the current one. So this year the amount will be $350 for the homestead tax.

In other business, the court approved a resolution to allow Oak Grove to apply for a $75,000 grant for a community center. The county will act as the pass through agency for the grant, but will provide no funding for the project.

Nevada County Judge Mark Glass told the court the county is three weeks to a month away from completing two roads damaged by the recent storms and can apply for state aid once the projects are done. This year’s storms, he said, weren’t considered severe enough to qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding, but do qualify for state assistance.

The court also approved a resolution to allow the Laneburg Volunteer Fire Department to apply for a $15,000 grant to build a new three-bay building for the department. Glass told the court the department doesn’t have room for its trucks in its current facility and land has been donated for a new structure.

The court approved an ordinance for the addition of an adult drug court in the county’s budget. In the past the funds for the adult drug court have been kept in county general, but the money needs to be kept separate to Nevada County can pay its portion to Hempstead County. Nevada County Treasurer Susie Key said this doesn’t amount to much money as there’s only $375 in the fund at this time.

There was some confusion over what it would take to renovate the bleachers at the rodeo arena. In a recent meeting the Prescott City Council voted to appropriate $3,500 for the project as a one-time thing. The court, though, had yet to approve any funding for the repairs until Tuesday’s meeting, when it was decided to take $3,800 from the amount the court budgeted to the Nevada County Fair Association for the repairs. It was pointed out the county has been budgeting $6,500 a year to the association, though the original amount was $3,000. The extra money was to help with air conditioning the exhibit buildings. The association has already been paid $1,500 this year.

The final topic of business was the bridge over Cold Creek on Nubbin Hill Road. Because of the bridge’s condition, the state ordered the county to close it. Barriers were put up, but are apparently being ignored.

Glass said the county had two options. One was to either make semi-permanent, or temporary, repairs to the bridge, or, two, to continue with the current road project and get federal assistance for a new bridge. The problem, he told the court, is the property owners in the area have refused to grant easements for the movement of utilities.

Under the project plans, the new bridge would cost $1 million with the county to fund 2 percent or around $20,000. Glass spoke to engineers and was told if the county did a semi-permanent repair job, it wouldn’t get a new bridge under the project.

Glass took bids on a repair project. One came in at $140,000. The other was from Donnie McGuire for $75,000. McGuire said he could do the job in 10 days to two weeks, adding it would involve four sections, removing the crossties there now and replacing them with steel I beams.

JP Bob Cummins said he was against a temporary fix, adding the residents in the area should have signed the easements. He suggested the county continue working with the state on the project and get a new bridge.

Glass said it will cost about $13,000 to move the city’s water lines, and as far as electricity goes, only two poles need to be moved. The best case, he said, would be for the county to go with the state plans. The court agreed.

Glass said the bridge will remain closed in the interim and the county will do its best to keep the roads to the Five Way Marker and Fairhills graded for residents.