Committees of the Jefferson County Quorum Court on Tuesday will discuss a proposed $42,82.50 appropriation ordinance for the Assessor’s Office to cover the costs of their pictometry program. The committees will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Quorum Courtroom.
The pictometry program uses aerial photographs of real estate that the appraisal staff can display on their computers, and in some cases could result in changes that cost property owners more or less.
At the end of 2015, the Quorum Court approved funding for the program, and in January and February of last year, the aerial photographs were taken. Stacy Howard, who is the appraisal manager for the office, said last year that the photographs can be compared to photos that were taken in 2013 to show how property has changed, what has been added or removed. In addition to the assessor’s office, Howard said other agencies like the Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Management can access the photographs.
“For example, if the Sheriff’s Office needs to stake out a property they can find out where the doors and windows are,” she said.
The Assessor’s Office is also asking for an amendment to an ordinance that would reduce the membership of the County Equalization Board from nine members to five members. Assessor Yvonne Humphrey said in a memo to County Judge Henry “Hank” Wilkins IV that the board has lost three members in one year’s time. Also on the agenda is a request from the Jefferson County Board of Election Commissioners to consider the establishment of a petty cash fund for the board.
Sponsored by Justices of the Peace Ted Harden and Dr. Herman Ginger, the proposed ordinance said that the board is sometimes required to spend money for small and/or emergency items for operational use. The proposed ordinance also provides that the chairman of the board of elections commissioners, Mike Adam, designate a custodian of the fund who will use it to pay for the items, and create or supply a receipt for each expenditure. A transfer of $200 from County General to the petty cash fund is also a part of the proposed ordinance.