AUGUSTA COUNTY — The president of the appraisal firm entrenched in the middle of Augusta County's reassessment controversy defended his company's work and fired back at what he called misinformation from critics of the reassessments.

Dave Hickey, owner of Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal, said recent sales of homes and property justify the firm's and the Board of Assessors' work. He said of the 93 post-reassessment sales, 74 have sold at a price higher than the new assessed value. In addition, he said the sales ratio, which is the value of the reassessments divided by the sales price, is more than 93 percent. The state's threshold to certify a reassessment is 75 percent or higher, he said.

"The market seems to be validating our reassessment," he said. "Not only is our ratio in line with the sales, but our measure of uniformity is within the standards of the International Association of Assessing Officers."

Hickey reiterated that the appraisal firm largely relied on sales in forming its reassessment formula, and he said the group worked to adjust the figures starting last year when housing prices began its free fall. He blamed the public uproar mainly on the falling economy, because he said the methodology has been consistent with the seven other reassessments that Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal handled for the county.

"Four years ago, in the 2005 reassessment that everyone touts as so good, the (appeal) hearings were holy hell. They were 10 times worse than they were this time," he said. "Everyone came in with the same crap, saying that this is a flawed reassessment and that these guys don't know what they are doing."

Hickey said another factor that led to the ongoing controversy is the public's lack of education on the topic. He said he was disappointed that there was such poor attendance for three public presentations on the reassessment process, which were conducted before the notices were mailed out. However, he shot down the prospect of holding another meeting because he said the vast majority of the public are beyond listening to him at this point.

"It wouldn't do much good," he said. "It would probably just turn into an appraiser public hanging."

Responding to critics
Hickey's comments come as Churchville attorney Francis Chester prepares a legal challenge that would require the county to throw out the reassessments and as Supervisor Tracy Pyles continues his fight to convince the majority of the board to agree to revert back to the 2005 reassessment values. Pyles will host a public informational session at 9:30 a.m. today at the Government Center to lay out his case of why the reassessments are "substantially flawed."

Hickey said Chester and Pyles, who are the two most public faces of the reassessment attacks, have only confused and misled by making their arguments without correctly analyzing the facts. Hickey said Pyles, in his opposition, stated many of the facts out of context. An example, he said is how Pyles distorted the facts when the supervisor argued that the reassessed value of Hershey's Stuarts Draft plant fell by several million in just the few months before the process was completed.

"The number he got was just a very initial projection that it was a $41 million value, but it had not been adjusted or whatever," he said. "And when the notices came out, it was $33 million, and he said, 'Oh my God, how can these guys lower something like that.' Well, it was never supposed to be $41 million to begin with."

Hickey also sharply attacked Chester's critique of the process and laughed when asked about the attorney's view questioning the validity of the contract between Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal and the county. Although Chester has argued that it was a "sweetheart deal," Hickey said he probably would have proposed charging more for the work if he'd known his company was the only firm that placed a bid.

"Everyone has to recognize that this guy is a crank," he said. "Whenever you Google his name, it comes up as 'Churchville attorney Francis Chester, but it should say 'discredited Churchville attorney Francis Chester.'"

Tax rate
Hickey said he sees the public uproar coming to an end soon when the Board of Supervisors discusses altering the tax rate, which all members have publicly stated they intend to lower for the first time in more than two decades.

"It will be like extinguishing a fire," Hickey said.

If the tax rate is lowered, Hickey said residents will realize that many in the county, especially those in land use, will actually face lower taxes. He said those that would pay more taxes, despite a lower rate, still wouldn't see an extreme increase in the actual amount they pay.

Labels: AugustaCountyReassessment

¶ posted by Hobie 3:44 PM