After outcry, Norfolk assessors won't come knocking

NORFOLK

Tax assessors will no longer enter the homes of residents to update records because media coverage of the practice has sparked negative public reaction.

Real Estate Assessor Deborah Bunn made the announcement shortly after a meeting Wednesday afternoon with Mayor Paul Fraim.

The mayor told Bunn that the City Council had raised concerns about how her employees are inspecting homes. On April 20, assessors began driving into neighborhoods to personally inspect every home and business in the city to get more accurate property tax assessments.

Council members expressed unease about media reports that indicated assessors had been knocking on doors seeking permission to do interior inspections. If no one answered, assessors would inspect the outside of the residence.

Bunn said her assessors have never asked permission to inspect the interior of homes. "We're asking people what kinds of upgrades they may have in their homes," she said. "If they invite us in, we've been going in."

But assessors stopped entering homes even if invited, she said, after some people began slamming doors in the faces of city employees. One female employee, she said, was verbally abused by a resident.

She said her office will continue to inspect the exterior of homes, including the backyards of people who are not at home.

Chesapeake Assessor William L. Rice said his city's policy is similar to Norfolk's. He said assessors go door to door to ask about upgrades. If invited into a home, they accept. "If anyone tells us they don't want us on their property, we honor that," he said.

Bunn said eyeballing every property is the only way to compute accurate property tax assessments.

She defended entering the back yards of people who aren't at home, saying employees don't enter if a gate is locked or a dog is in the yard. She said her policies conform to those advocated by the International Association of Assessing Officers.

In a letter mailed to civic league leaders on April 14, Bunn said all employees will wear identification badges and will be in marked city cars. Phone numbers were provided for residents to verify the identity of employees.

Even so, Councilman W. Randy Wright said he thinks Bunn erred in sending people door to door.

"We're hearing stories about people impersonating the police," Wright said. "If they can impersonate a policeman, they can impersonate an assessor.

"I think walking into someone's back yard is a bad idea. That's too intrusive."

Unlike most city officials, Bunn is hired and supervised by the City Council. She is scheduled to discuss the issue with the council Tuesday.

Councilman Paul R. Riddick was among those who urged Bunn to inspect each home in the city. "I've always felt that we needed to take a look at every property," he said.

But he said the city "needs to do a better job of getting the message out to people" before going door to door.

Councilman Barclay C. Winn said council members have received an onslaught of e-mails, letters and phone calls on the subject.

"Even my mother jumped on me about this," he said. "It's a pretty sensitive subject."

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com