NEWS: Turmoil in City Assessor’s Office Unexplained
Williamsburg only confirms assessor 'returned' to role during busy tax season
(Editor’s Note: Read the Williamsburg assessor response to this article here.)
A property owner in Williamsburg recently visited the Williamsburg Assessor’s Office and was told that the City’s Real Estate Assessor, Derek Green, was no longer with the City and that it was unknown when an interim replacement would be appointed. At the time, staff was unable to answer questions about the property owner’s assessment and instead provided a form to file an administrative appeal. Subsequent communication with the City indicates that Green has since returned to City employment.
An email sent by the Williamsburg Independent to Green seeking clarification about the property owner’s experience went unanswered. Responding to a separate email seeking clarification, the City’s Communications Director, Nicole Trifone, responded that “Derek Green returned to his role as City Assessor earlier this month.” When asked for more details, Trifone responded that, “It is City policy not to disclose information regarding personnel matters.”
This time of year is particularly important to the local governments in terms of real estate assessments. According to the the City’s website, assessment notices were mailed to property owners on February 28, 2025. Further questions sent to the City for comment regarding how issues in the assessor’s office may have affected other property owners or the assessment process went unanswered.
Real estate assessment notices provide a summary of a property owner’s tax bill, including the City’s assessed value for land as well as structures. The City’s website states that the assessor will “administer all real estate related programs in accordance with City Code Chapter 18, Code of Virginia Title 58.1, and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) established by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation.”
Though Williamsburg’s property tax rate has gone unchanged over the past several years, some property owners in the city have seen their total real estate property assessments rise over 25%. This increase corresponds with the rise in sales prices for real estate, which other neighboring regions are experiencing as well. Based on an annual study by Old Dominion University, it’s unlikely that most people’s earnings have kept up with inflation and rising assessments during that period. In fact, the report states that people’s buying power has likely decreased over that time. The data they present from 2023 indicates that although average wages (nominal) in Hampton Roads increased to $1,146/week, when inflation is factored in, “real” wages had actually decreased to $922.
(Updated 3-25-25: Added link to city assessor’s response. Added clarification to article concerning relationship between property assessments and real estate market prices. Rewrote corresponding paragraph for clarity.)
Download a .pdf file containing the correspondence with the City of Williamsburg regarding the assessor’s office:
George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. He wakes up too early, so please consider buying him a cup of coffee.