JAMES HEDGEPATH
(615) 533-3045
james.hedgepath@cheathamcountytn.gov
ASSESSOR OF PROPERTY
CINDY BURNEY
354 FREY ST STE B
ASHLAND CITY TN, 37015
615-792-5371
Cheatham County Commissioners
District 1 – CARLTON BLACKER
(615) 948-8360
calton.blacker@cheathamcountytn.gov
DAVID ANDERSON
(615) 430-4357
david.anderson@cheathamcountytn.gov
District 2 – ANN JARREAU
(615) 746-5356
ann.jarreau@cheathamcountytn.gov
TIM WILLIAMSON
(615) 746-0239 | (615) 708-7861 - Cell
tim.williamson@cheathamcountytn.gov
District 3 – B.J. HUDSPETH
(615) 812-3934
bj.hudspeth@cheathamcountytn.gov
CHRIS GILMORE
(615) 405-5204
chris.gilmore@cheathamcountytn.gov
District 4 – BILL POWERS
(615) 881-4058
bill.powers@cheathamcountytn.gov
WALTER WEAKLEY
(931) 801-5614
walter.weakley@cheathamcountytn.gov
District 5 – EUGENE EVANS
(615) 785-1149 - Cell
gene.evans@cheathamcountytn.gov
DIANA PIKE LOVELL
(615) 356-9701 | (615) 838-2217 - Cell
Diana.lovell@cheathamcountytn.gov
District 6 – MIKE BREEDLOVE
(615) 347-6429
mike.breedlove@cheathamcountytn.gov
dI
Telephone
The purpose of a reappraisal is to
bring our property values to current
market value. Remember, the last
time we reappraised was 2019. We all
know that the property values have
increased since then.
This process does not automatically
raise taxes. In fact, the
appraisal/assessment process is
independent of the property taxing
process. Although the results affect
how much you will eventually pay in
taxes, reappraisal is a separate duty
required by law to ensure that all
property is appraised at current fair
market value and that owners will be
treated equally.
FOUR FACTORS DETERMINE
YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL:
Appraisal: the fair market value of
the property; what it would bring if
sold on the open market
Classification: whether the property
is used for residential, commercial,
industrial, or farm purposes.
Assessment: a figure determined by
multiplying the classification
percentage against the appraised
value.
Tax Rate: the dollar rate set by the
elected county commission/city
council that applies to an assessment
to calculate your property tax.
What Is My Property Worth?
Stop and think what your asking price would
be if you put your property on the market
and what information you would need to
decide on that figure. Chances are you would
want the exact same information that we use
to make a determination of its value.
The State of Tennessee uses appraisal
methods that are professional standards to
estimate each property’s market value. With
the aid of computer systems, the Assessor
has adapted these appraisal techniques to
produce large-scale reappraisal projects
accurately and cost effectively.
The primary tool for determining value is to
see what properties of the same type are
selling for on the open market. We assess the
hundreds of sales recorded each year by the
Register of Deeds for this purpose. This
database gives us an ability to compare
almost any property with numerous others
like it. By analyzing the prices paid for other
properties and adjusting for differences
(such as size, age, condition…etc.) the
appraiser can obtain a good indication of
market value of your property.
This method is particularly effective in the
appraisal of residential property, where the
market stays active with large numbers of
sales in most areas.
On commercial/industrial properties, we
also analyze income production to
determine capitalization rates and develop
an income-to-sales ratio that can be applied
to other properties and produce another
good indication of value.
We also have access to the building permits
issued by the zoning office and
municipalities, which enables us to see the
cost of improvements. Through computer
models, we can determine current building
costs and estimate what it would cost to
replace a structure on your property.
So, when you look at your new appraisal, ask
yourself, would I sell my property for that
figure?
If we are close to what might be a reasonable
final sales price, we have done our job.
How Can I Figure My Tax Bill?
Confusion over the difference in appraised
value and assessed value is quite common.
The appraised value is an estimate of market
value, while the assessed value is a fractional
amount of the appraised value. The
fractional amount is based on the property’s
classification, which is determined by the
property’s use. The assessed value, not the
appraised value, is applied to the tax rate to
produce a tax bill.
One of the reasons the assessor inspects all
property is to verify how it is used. The
assessment percentage applied to the
various property classifications are below
and set by TN state law.
Public Utility 55%
Commercial property 40%
Industrial property 40%
Business Personal property 30%
Residential property 25%
Farm property 25%
Examples: The assessed value of a
residential property with an appraised value
of $100,000 would be:
25% of $100,000= $25,000
While a commercial property appraised at
the same value would have an assessed
value of 40% of $100,000= $40,000
The assessment notice is NOT a tax bill. The
Trustee calculates your tax bill AFTER the
tax rate is set by the County Commission.
The bills are usually mailed out in late
September or in October. The tax rate is
expressed in dollars per $100 of assessed
value. To calculate the tax bill, the assessed
value is divided by $100 and then that
amount is multiplied by the tax rate.
Example: A residential property, appraised
at $100,000 and assessed at $25,000, with a
tax rate of $2.00, the calculation would be:
$25,000/$100=$250
250x$2.00 = $500
What If I Disagree With The
Appraised Value Of The Property?
If your opinion of the market value of your
property differs from the Assessor of
Property’s appraisal, you should discuss this
with the assessor. If you have evidence that
the appraisal is more than the actual fair
market value of your property, the assessor
will review all pertinent facts concerning
your property. If you still have questions
concerning your appraisal after meeting
with the Assessor of Property, you may be
heard before the County Board of
Equalization. The County Board of
Equalization has no jurisdiction over taxes
or tax rates. Its one and only function is to
hear evidence as to whether or not the
property in question is appraised at more or
less than its fair market value. If such is the
case, the board has the authority to change
the appraised value. The County Board of
Equalization begins meeting the first day of
June each year. It is important to note that
the amount of taxes paid is not a reason to
appeal. The appeal must be made on the
value of the property, not taxes, and every
attempt must be made to ensure that all
property is assessed fairly and accurately.
Please remember the tax rate for the county
is set by the County Commission based on
the amount of monies budgeted to fund the
provided services. These tax rates vary
depending on the level of services provided
and the total value of the county’s tax base.