Approve Utility Easement for Emergency Management Center

PLYMOUTH — Washington County Commissioners took several actions Monday evening, including approving designated officials authorized to submit standard disaster relief authorizations, granting an easement for Dominion Energy service to the new Emergency Management Center, and giving the green light to begin preparations for the county’s next property revaluation — a process that will impact every taxpayer in the county.

The board voted unanimously to designate Emergency Management Coordinator Lance Swindell and County Manager Curtis Potter as the county’s official agents for state disaster relief applications, a procedural step that allows the county to submit information and request aid in the event of a major storm or emergency. The measure, described by Potter as a “routine designation,” must be renewed periodically under state requirements.

Commissioners then unanimously approved a right-of-way easement agreement with Dominion Energy to provide electrical service to the county’s new Emergency Management Training and Operations Center, which is currently under construction along US 64. Potter said the easement was “a standard request” necessary for the utility to install power lines to the site. 

The bulk of the meeting, however, was devoted to a detailed presentation on potentially moving the upcoming 2029 countywide property revaluation up two years earlier to 2027. Piner Appraisal Services, represented by company president Gary Piner and appraisal consultant Renee McGuinness, a retired Gates County tax administrator, made the presentation.

Piner reminded the board that his firm has worked with Washington County since 2011, conducting both the 2013 and 2021 revaluations. He said the firm would be honored to continue that relationship through the next cycle.

“This will bring all real property to its current market value — not 2021 values,” McGuinness explained during her presentation. “It helps ensure that the county’s tax burden is distributed equitably. We’ve seen, across eastern North Carolina, a much sharper rise in residential values compared to agricultural and commercial properties, and that can throw things off balance if not corrected.”

McGuinness outlined the multi-phase process the county will follow between now and 2027, starting with fieldwork and data collection — including updated property photos — followed by market studies, schedule-of-value development, and public hearings. She emphasized that transparency and public education are critical for avoiding confusion once new values are mailed to taxpayers.

“I’m a big proponent of public relations work,” she said. “The more we can educate the public, the less we have to deal with on the back end. We like to produce brochures, host public meetings, and make sure people understand how their values are determined before the notices ever go out.”

Commissioners discussed the potential for desktop-based reviews — using digital images rather than full physical inspections — as a cost-saving and time-efficient approach. Piner said his company uses custom “Revaluator” software capable of generating high-resolution property images from vehicle-mounted cameras, making it possible to update data quickly and accurately.

During a question-and-answer period, Commissioners asked about the property value trends seen in other rural counties. McGuinness replied that Gates County, where she most recently worked, saw residential property values increase about 40 percent in its most recent revaluation, though farmland and commercial property rose less.

“That gives you commissioners a lot of latitude,” Piner added. “When values rise that much, it gives you room to adjust your tax rate to balance your budgetary needs and still be fair to taxpayers.”

McGuinness said her firm would begin work soon after a contract is signed, with the goal of completing data collection in 2026, developing schedules of value by September 2026, and presenting them to the commissioners for public review that fall. Public hearings and appeals would follow, with new property values taking effect for the 2027–2028 fiscal year.

Board members appeared largely supportive of continuing with Piner Appraisal, citing the firm’s familiarity with Washington County’s properties and data systems. Potter noted that staff had reviewed options after discussions at a statewide county conference earlier this month but recommended proceeding with Piner Appraisal due to their track record and ability to perform the work efficiently.

“We didn’t think it made sense to do a full formal bidding process right now with all of our capital projects underway,” Potter said. “Piner knows our county and our data, and staff would be satisfied as long as their proposal falls within a reasonably competitive cost range which we should be able to verify through the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.”

After brief discussion, commissioners voted to authorize staff to move forward with contract negotiations for the 2027 revaluation.

McGuinness closed by offering to hold workshops to help commissioners understand their roles during the appeal and equalization process. “The more prepared you are, the smoother it goes,” she said. “And the better informed your citizens are, the easier everyone’s job becomes.”

The meeting concluded with brief remarks about future scheduling, including potential closed session discussions at an upcoming meeting.

Washington County’s next property revaluation is expected to be one of the most significant administrative projects in the next two years, setting the foundation for fair taxation and future county budgets.