CHAPTER 787

An Act to provide for the assessment and equalization of assessments
of real estate in certain counties; to authorize the transfer to the
assessor appownted pursuant to this act of certain duties of the com-
missioner of the revenue in respect to the assessment of real estate
im such counties; to provide for the appointment of boards of equaltza-
tion in such counties and to prescribe their powers and duties; and
to repeal certain acts.

[H 706]

Approved April 5, 1968

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The governing body of any county having a land area of less
than one hundred fifty square miles, a population of less than twenty-five
thousand per square mile and adjoining two or more cities of the first
class may, in lieu of the method now prescribed by law, provide from
time to time by ordinance for the annual assessment and equalization of
assessment of real estate in such county. To that end it may appoint a
person or persons (hereinafter referred to as assessor) to assess such
real estate for taxation, may prescribe the duties and term of office of
such assessor, may require that he give his entire time to the duties of his
office, may remove him for cause, may fix his compensation which shall be
payable out of the local treasury, and may provide for such technical and
clerical assistance as may be necessary or advisable and for the payment
of any other expenses that may be properly incident thereto.

§ 2. All such real estate shall be assessed at its fair market value by
the assessor and it shall be his duty to annually prepare the land book on
the basis of the last assessment made prior to such year, subject to such
changes as may have been lawfully made.

§ 3. The Board of Supervisors of any such county may provide that
all other duties now devolved upon the commissioner of the revenue
of such county with respect to the establishment of assessed value of real
estate shall be transferred to and devolve upon the assessor appointed
pursuant to this act. The clerks of the courts of counties in which an
assessor is appointed hereunder shall furnish to the assessor of such county
the list of real estate transfers now required to be furnished to the com-
missioner of the revenue.

§ 4. All duties and all powers conferred by law in the review for
equalization of assessments of real estate in the county shall be exercised
by a county board of equalization of assessments, composed of not less
than three nor more than five members appointed for terms of three years
by the board of supervisors of such counties as follows: if three members
are appointed, one of such initial appointments shall be for three years, ene
for two years and one for one year; if four members are appointed, two of
such initial appointments shall be for three years, one for two years and
one for one year; if five members are appointed, two of such initial ap-
pointments shall be for three years, two for two years and one for one
year. The board of equalization of assessments shall also have the power
to review all assessments and changes of assessments previously made by
the assessor. The board of equalization of assessments shall have authority,
on its own motion or upon protest as hereinafter provided, to change any
assessment of real estate in the county, to add to the tax rolls any real
estate erroneously omitted, to remove properties from tax rolls when ac-
quired by owners not subject to taxation, and to correct errors in tax
assessment records, in accordance with the policies and procedures pre-
scribed in this article. Vacancies on the board of equalization of assess-
ments shall be filled by the board of supervisors for the unexpired term.
Any member of such board shall be removable by the board of supervisors
for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office. The compensa-
tion of the members of the board of equalization of assessments shall be
as prescribed in the annual county budget as adopted by the board of
supervisors; the amount of such compensation shall be set by the board
of supervisors.

. Any person aggrieved by any assessment made by the assessor
or the board of equalization may apply for relief in the manner provided
by § 58-1145 of the Code of Virginia.

§ 6. This act shall not apply to any real estate assessable under law
by the State Corporation Commission.

§ 7. All acts and parts of acts relating to the assessment of real
estate in counties not in conflict with the provisions of this act shall apply
to any assessment made pursuant to this act.

2. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are repealed to the
extent of such conflict.