Alamance County Commissioners Set March 2 Agenda: Revaluation, Opioid Settlement, Human-Trafficking Grant

Vincent Valuations had completed approximately 37,000 of the county’s 80,000 parcels, county commissioners heard at a March 2 work session in Graham that set the agenda for a Jan. 1, 2027 countywide revaluation and included an annual audit presentation, opioid-settlement recommendations, a school bond reallocation and a human-trafficking grant. The meeting began at 9:30 a.m. under the Board of Commissioners’ published March 2 work session schedule.

Mr. Fowler reviewed the timeline for the 2027 countywide property revaluation and commissioners were reminded that the county had adopted a four-year cycle, with the last revaluation in 2023 and the next scheduled for January 1, 2027. Tax Administrator Brad Fowler told the board that the Vincent contract is a $2.6 million contract that covers both the county’s revaluation and a full list and measure, and that the exercise is intended to recalibrate tax values to reflect market conditions as of January 1, 2027 rather than dictate sale prices.

Commissioner Priola pressed staffing and cost questions, noting the $2.6 million contract and two unfilled vacancies in the tax department and suggesting there might be an overabundance of staff given Vincent’s role. Mr. Fowler responded that the tax department is adequately staffed for current duties, that the $2.6 million contract is not a recurring cost, and that after the 2027 revaluation the county appraisal team plans to canvass one-eighth of the county each year so all properties will be reviewed every two revaluations to reduce future contract costs.

Commercial sales presented by Vincent drew particular scrutiny from the board. The vendor highlighted four commercial transactions; the meeting materials and comments detailed one sale in Alamance Crossing where the Hobby Lobby store changed hands in January for $6.9 million, compared with the 2023 county tax-assessed value of $3,165,942, a 118 percent markup over the assessed value. Vice Chairman Steve Carter said, “We’re seeing a really big bump in our commercial values which could interpolate to a decrease for our homeowners,” framing the commercial gains as a potential offset for residential tax burdens. Commissioner Allen urged focused review of commercial and big box properties, and Fowler said the department would pay particular attention to those stores.

The March 2 agenda listed several other county items without attached figures or presentations in the available packet: the county’s annual audit presentation, opioid-settlement recommendations, proposed school bond reallocation and a human-trafficking grant. The work session is one item in the Board of Commissioners 2026 schedule that also shows a March 16 business meeting at 6:30 p.m.; the board’s published 2026 calendar lists regular work sessions and business meetings through December.

For context on county fiscal planning, the FY25-26 budget calendar retains earlier deadlines and milestones such as Distribution of CIP and Personnel Requests to Departments - Tuesday, January 7, 2025; Presentation of FY25-26 Manager’s Recommended Budget to Board of Commissioners - Monday, May 19, 2025; and Adoption of FY25-26 Budget Ordinances - Monday June 16, 2025, underscoring the county’s multi-year budgeting cadence as the 2027 revaluation approaches.