Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County’s Board of Equalization and Review has a seat for Commissioner District 2 and an alternate seat up for appointment in November. The board’s purpose is to hear and review property owners’ appeals of their property listings and valuations of real estate and personal property.
“The board has an important, complex role. It is the first level of review after staff-level reviews,” said Jenny Williams, Chatham County tax administrator. “The board must apply state laws in a consistent, uniform and non-discriminatory manner so that all property owners receive a fair and impartial hearing.”
The deadline to apply is Friday, October 18, 2019 at 5 p.m. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
* Has lived in Chatham County for at least two years prior to appointment;
* Owns real estate property in the county;
* Be knowledgeable about real estate matters; and
* Have good moral character.
If appointed by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, both seats would serve until December 31, 2022. Members of the Board of E&R receive a stipend of $15 per hour for their service, but the number and length of the meetings vary depending on the number of appeals filed.
New members are required to attend a training session to understand their roles under state law and the appeals process.
Except for revaluation years, most meetings of the Board of E&R are held in the spring, but a few may be held in the fall to hear appeals related to personal property. The county just completed revaluation in 2017, but is gearing up for the next revaluation in 2021.
Most of the meetings are during the daytime, but some may be held in the evenings to accommodate taxpayers’ schedules, usually for Revaluation appeals.. On rare occasions, special meetings may be called on such issues as audit appeals or review of late applications for tax exemptions.
Qualified residents should submit applications to serve no later than Friday, October 18, 2019 at 5 p.m. To complete an online application, visit chathamnc.seamlessdocs.com/f/ChathamERBoard . You also may contact Lindsay Ray at 919-545-8302 or to obtain an email or printed copy.
If you have questions about the Board of E&R and its role, contact Karen Jones at 919-545-8476.