Pender County commissioners suspend 2026 property valuations after residents voice concerns

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY) — A standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 people packed the Pender County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday as residents voiced concerns over recently mailed-out property reappraisals that sharply increased values across the county.

Although the issue was not formally listed on the agenda, dozens of residents filled the meeting room and spilled into the hallway to speak about the appraisals. Many said the increases could lead to higher tax bills, which they feared they could not afford.

Tex Watkins, who owns more than 400 acres, said his property’s assessed value jumped dramatically. “Last year was $373,320. This year, it’s $2,270,000,” Watkins said, with shocked responses coming from the crowd.

Resident Wendy Davis said she was unable to determine how her property’s new value was calculated. “If there was some information given to how they came up with this, I don’t think people would be so upset, but you can’t figure it out,” she said.

At a previous meeting, Vincent Valuations — the firm hired to conduct the reassessment — reported countywide increases ranging from 105% to 110%.

Commissioners echoed residents’ frustrations during Tuesday’s meeting.

“Some of these other things that we’ve got with these revaluation numbers and the lack of consistency — I agree, there is a flaw somewhere in the system,” Commissioner Brad George said.

“I didn’t understand how people who had flooded property was charged the price they are now and you can’t even get insurance on the property,” said Commissioner Jimmy Tate.

Tate then introduced a motion to address the concerns, proposing that the county suspend the newly released 2026 tax valuations, revert to 2025 assessed values for the upcoming 2026-27 budget, hire an independent contractor to review the appraisal results, and have the new valuations take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The board unanimously approved the proposal.

“I believe that we also need to listen to the people who were here tonight,” Tate said. “We are elected to fight for the people, and I believe tonight shows our commitment to do that.”

Two representatives from Vincent Valuations attended the meeting but did not speak about their appraisal process or address any concerns residents had.

Tate said he expects the board commissioners to continue discussing the county’s current tax rate of 73.75 cents per $100 of property value as they work through the upcoming budget, to reduce future impacts on residents.