Property Tax Concerns Loom Over Tornado-Damaged Homes in Johnson City
In the wake of the recent devastating tornado, residents of Johnson City, Tennessee, are left grappling with a heavy question: what will happen to their property taxes now that many homes are either heavily damaged or completely destroyed? While rebuilding their lives, homeowners are also wondering if they will still have to pay full property taxes on their wrecked properties, or if there might be relief in sight. It’s a conundrum that has local county property assessors working overtime to find answers.
Counting the Costs
County assessors in Northeast Tennessee are on the front lines, scrambling to reassess property values that have taken a nosedive due to the tornado. Hundreds of millions of dollars in lost property value hang in the balance, which means hundreds of thousands in taxes due are also at stake. Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Jason Mumpower, acknowledges there are significant county revenues at risk due to this disaster and has pledged support for property owners affected.
“The legislature and Gov. Bill Lee have a strong desire to help the property owners affected by this storm,” Mumpower stated during a visit to Johnson City aimed at directly communicating with local assessors. The plan, he shared, may include offering grants to property owners—either a prorated amount based on their damage or even up to a full year’s tax bill, which could also aid those who have already paid their taxes.
Assessors Work Tirelessly
In the heart of this chaos, dedicated assessors like Teresa Kinsler of Unicoi County are working tirelessly. Only days after ensuring people were safe, she shifted her focus to assessing the extent of the damage. With her small team, Kinsler has been visiting each affected property, facing the heartbreaking reality that many homeowners have lost not just their homes, but also their mailboxes and other personal belongings.
“I’m just explaining to them my role,” Kinsler shared. “Let me know what happened that day.” The emotional toll of this work is immense as she encounters accounts of families being swept away by rising waters in a matter of minutes.
Urgent Need for Accurate Data
The pressure to gather accurate data is intense. Mumpower, alongside Bryan Kinsey, director of the division of property assessments, conducted a lengthy meeting with local assessors to discuss the challenges ahead. “We want to ensure by January that the legislature has a firm understanding of the financial extent of the damage,” Mumpower emphasized, stressing that the state’s response hinges on the quality and timeliness of these assessments.
Facing a Financial Crisis
The local communities are staring down a financial crisis. With property values plummeting, not only are individual homeowners feeling the sting, but counties like Unicoi could face serious revenue losses that may pressure local budgets. In Unicoi County alone, losses from its industrial park have been particularly hard-hitting.
“That’s going to be a big strain for our county unless the state steps in to help,” Kinsler warned, highlighting the grim reality ahead if businesses cannot rebuild or relocate. Given Tennessee’s significant fiscal reserve, Mumpower reassured that there is potential for state support to help local governments through this tough time.
A Bright Spot of Reassurance
Kinsler felt encouraged after the meeting, noting, “They’ve listened to every word we’ve said. I really feel good about them being here.” The local assessors are now racing against time, with their eyes set on providing the legislature with numbers by mid-January. The gravity of the situation is clear, but so is the resolve of everyone involved.
As the people of Johnson City and its surrounding areas begin to pick up the pieces, the road ahead is still uncertain. However, with collaboration among residents, assessors, and state leaders, there is hope that solutions will emerge to alleviate some of the burdens weighing heavily on the community.
