Alcoa’s Board of Commissioners has thrown its weight behind a plan to recheck property values twice as often, arguing that more frequent updates would take some of the shock out of big swings in appraisals.
The board on Tuesday unanimously backed Blount County Property Assessor Todd Orr’s last-minute pitch for a countywide reappraisal every two years, instead of waiting four or more. Orr told city leaders that tighter review cycles would keep assessments closer to real-world market values and help avoid the kind of sharp jumps the county saw with its 2023 reappraisals. Commissioners passed a resolution and an ordinance on first reading supporting the shift and signaled they want the county to take it up during a workshop. Orr said mid-cycle corrections in 2025, following those 2023 values, translated into an estimated $1.8 million net revenue loss for local government. As reported by The Daily Times, Alcoa and neighboring Maryville have both voiced support for the two-year schedule, which is slated for discussion at the Blount County workshop on Thursday.
How reappraisals work in Tennessee
Under Tennessee law, counties generally run full property reappraisals on a four-to-six-year cycle. The state board of equalization can sign off on shorter timelines, and local assessors are allowed to propose different schedules if they think market conditions warrant it. The governing statute, T.C.A. § 67-5-1601, spells out the four-, five-, and six-year options and how values are supposed to be updated between full reappraisals.
What supporters say
Orr told commissioners the goal of a two-year schedule is “to align reappraisals more closely with current market trends and avoid large mid-cycle sales ratio adjustments,” and he noted the county could step back to a four-year plan if the experiment falls flat. Supporters argue that more frequent check-ins on value lower the odds of sudden cuts or spikes that can trigger difficult mid-year corrections for local budgets and for homeowners watching those numbers. Those points were outlined in coverage by The Daily Times.
Other business the board handled
Outside the appraisal drama, commissioners moved through a list of routine items. They advanced, on first reading, an ordinance to designate Wheeler Road as a major collector, approved the sale of surplus vehicles, and signed off on several board reappointments. City agendas indicate Wheeler Road has been under ongoing planning review, and that Alcoa often tucks technical street-classification moves into its consent agenda. Detailed packets and past minutes are available through the City of Alcoa agenda center.
What’s next for property owners
The proposal for a two-year reappraisal cycle now heads to county-level consideration. If Blount County signs on to the shorter timeline, it would need formal approval and any related procedural tweaks before it actually kicks in. Property owners looking for details on how assessments work or how to start an appeal can contact the office listed by the Blount County Property Assessor.
