Bedford County has awarded a contract to Roanoke-based Wingate Appraisal Service to conduct the upcoming reassessment of county real estate.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday to hire the Roanoke firm out of the five that made bids. Wingate has performed recent county reassessments, including 2007’s, which saw property values jump on average by 70 percent from the previous evaluation in 2003.
Supervisor Steve Arrington, who serves on the board’s tax and fiscal committee, said it viewed Wingate as the best fit for “this very crucial reassessment.”
The reassessment will be conducted from late this year into 2010.
Supervisor Chuck Neudorfer represents the Moneta district which saw dramatic increases in property values in 2007. He said he didn’t want to second-guess the committee, but said he did not expect to see many “cheers coming up” from his constituents regarding the firm’s involvement.
“I believe I’m going to have to respond to a lot of inquiries as to why Wingate was selected,” said Neudorfer, who added that other firms made lower bids. “I need to be fortified for what I consider a bunch of questions coming my way.”
Recommending the firm was not an easy decision and included “an unbelievable amount of discussion” regarding Smith Mountain Lake properties, Arrington said. The firm has also conducted recent reassessments for the city of Bedford, which could simplify matters for the localities as they deal with the city’s reversion to town status, he said.
The county has roughly 45,000 parcels to be reassessed, and the city has 3,400 parcels, according to a joint request for proposals.
According to a pricing summary from county officials, Wingate is charging $16 per parcel and $10 per manufactured home. The costs would be $20 per parcel and $20 per manufactured home for the city.
The city has not yet awarded a contract for its reassessment, and Bedford City Council will take the matter up in July, said City Manager Charles Kolakowski.
The reassessment will take effect in 2011.
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