Virginian-Pilot columnist Kerry Dougherty takes a tip from my earlier post on the Norfolk real estate assessor’s plan to review all of the properties in the city in an article today. She sided with many of the comments posted:
When we find out how many residents rolled out the welcome mat, we’ll also know how many Norfolkians were asleep during high school civics class.
Reminder for the snoozers: This is America. Except in very few cases, you do not have to allow government agents – without search warrants – in your home.
She also talked to both assessor Deborah Bunn and city attorney Bernard Pishko. The latter seemed unaware of the plan.
When asked about the power of the city to traipse around private property, including fenced-in yards, Pishko said that wouldn’t be trespassing. Property needs to be posted.
Oooh. I smell a cottage industry in tasteful “Keep Out” signs.
And the real reason behind this review? As I suspected, higher assessments.
Her employees are looking for structural improvements.
Summing up our fair city was this comment:
The City of Norfolk would tax the air you breath if they could get you to wear the meter.
True 😉
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Hey! I’m obliquely referenced! 🙂
So I have heard.
While they’re taking notes on your home’s interior will they secretly be cackling over “you’ll never guess who lives in an absolute pig pin”?
Guess who has PLATINUM bathroom fixtures in Ghent? Surely, that’s an improvement that needs to be taxed.
All the improvements aside, what if they spy some contraband you didn’t hide due to an expectation of privacy? Criminal Informants bouncing around warrantless searches in Chesapeake was disasterous. Is this the “NEW” method? Home brewery? Exotic animals? Are your dogs and cats licensed? If not, the city wants their money. Are you having an affair and what would the assessor do with that information if it involved a prominent citizen?
Ok, forget privacy and home improvements for a second. Could they be looking for evidence of “blight” not readily visible that could be reported to the Norfolk Housing Authority? Norfolk likes eminent domain whenever it gets the chance.
I assume these assesors are licensed and bonded. They probably undergo background checks. Still, don’t ya get that uncomfortable feeling when strangers eyeball your valuables or heaven forbid, your children/spouse?
What if your child misbehaves at the wrong time and the assesor doesn’t approve of your form of discipline? Can you expect a visit from Child Protective Services?
Friendly with ALL your neighbors? I hope so. I would hope they don’t drop hints about how your dwelling might be deficient. Or……how you might be.
Could it be that your assessor will know more about you than your hair dresser? If you lost your lucky underwear,……maybe your assessor just happend to see where it was during the last visit.
Vivian,
In fact, the interval between assessments is manipulated in order to suit the needs of the governing body.
We just went to two-year assessments interval, and this is the year they will be trespassing.
Remember when you and I were talking about revenue-neutral by law after the appraisal? Then the governing body could raise or lower to meet the needs of the city/county.
And also remember that I told you our rate was $.76/100 and revenue neutral came out to $.49 (2 years ago). We were then told that at $.59, we were actually getting a tax break!
How many people just pay it and don’t pay attention? A whole lot.