Franklin County Officials Not Seeing Eye to Eye on Assessment Software

Two Franklin County officeholders are at odds over whether or not the county should expand its use of appraisal software.

County commissioners Tuesday tabled a motion to authorize a contract with Vanguard Appraisals Inc. which would have allowed the software to be utilized to appraise personal property.

Assessor Tom Copeland said the county has been using the software for real estate appraisals for roughly five to six years.

Copeland said 48 counties in Missouri use the software for personal property appraisals as well.

Collector Linda Emmons said she opposes using the software for personal property because of the large number of changes the county sees in personal property each year.

“Tom and I are very far apart on this,” Emmons said. “While 48 counties may use this, they are small, third- and fourth-class counties. I fought this back in 2007 and I predict having a lot of problems. We have enough changes from year to year without adopting new software.”

Copeland said the software could save his office money, citing $60,000 in savings over a five-year period.

The software can replace the state’s valuation guide.

Presiding Commissioner John Griesheimer sought a motion to authorize the contract with Vanguard, but didn’t get a motion or a second from commissioners Ann Schroeder and Terry Wilson.

Commissioners instead voted to table the order and agreed to meet with Copeland and Emmons later this week.

Schroeder said she was not involved in previous meetings discussing the software.

“There has been concern with the program regarding when notices go out, but we’ve had two test runs now,” Griesheimer said. “The program is working fine and we’re working to ensure there are no hiccups on our end.”

Emmons said she would refuse any responsibility for errors with the program.

“We’re not going to leave Linda hanging in the breeze,” Griesheimer said.