December 9, 2022

A publication by Gloucester's Department of Community Engagement and Public Information

Gloucester reassessment notices were recently mailed to property owners. It is important to note: Though the deadline to schedule an appeal is Dec. 31, these appointments will take place throughout January.

What is "Reassessment"? 

Reassessment is the process of performing the necessary market analysis and valuation steps to equalize the assessments of all properties within a taxing jurisdiction for the purpose of establishing a fair and equitable tax base. 

Why is there a "Reassessment? 

Recognizing that market values fluctuate over time, and at different rates for different property types, the Code of Virginia§ 58.1-3252 requires a general reassessment of real estate with the goal of equalizing the tax base. 

What are the criteria used to equalize assessments? 

Fair Market Value, which is defined as: 

The most probable price, as of a specified date, for which the specified property rights should sell after reasonable exposure in a competitive market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, with the buyer and seller each acting prudently, knowledgeably, and for self-interest, and assuming that neither is under undue duress. 

A simple question to ask yourself is: "Would I be able to sell my property for this assessed value as of January 1? 

The Gloucester County Department of Real Estate Assessment is committed to the assessment of all real property in the County of Gloucester based on fair market value, with the end result being fair and even distribution of the tax burden among all property owners.

The County Board of Supervisors will set the tax rate in April or May 2023, as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget process. After the tax rate has been set, you can use the following formula to calculate your taxes: (Assessment value--,- 100) x (new tax rate). 

The Real Estate Assessment Department does not set market values, it reacts to market sales and changes in order to produce fair and equitable assessments. Mass appraisal procedures are utilized to determine assessed values. Mass appraisal is defined by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) as “the process of valuing a group of properties as of a given date, using standard methods, employing common data, and allowing for statistical testing”. The mass appraisal method is the industry standard for tax assessment purposes and is necessary to accomplish the valuation of the thousands of parcels within a locality.

For more information about the reassessment process, click here to view the informational flyer sent with all reassessment notices. 

For information on how to note an appeal, click here. 

As always, please feel free to reach out to the General Reassessment Department with any questions you may have by calling 804-693-1325 or e-mail assessment@gloucesterva.info. 

More information can also be found on the Real Estate Assessment Department's website, https://www.gloucesterva.info/449/Real-Estate-Assessment. 

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus on Saturday at the Gloucester County Library-Virginia. Then, hang around for the Library's Open House, also on Saturday, from 1-3:30 p.m. There will be light refreshments, along with performances by the Bayside Youth Ballet and Clan MacCool Band. Call 804-693-2998 for more information!

Public Forum to be held Dec. 12 on Enhancing Existing Opioid Addiction Services in Gloucester

Gloucester County will be hosting small table discussions on enhancing existing opioid addiction services in the community Dec. 12 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Gloucester Main Library Community Room. Service providers, family, friends, those in recovery, or anyone impacted by the crisis are encouraged to attend and share their experiences and recommendations. 



Gloucester is slated to receive an estimated total of $678,362 distributed in annual installments through fiscal year 2039 from the Commonwealth’s Opioid Abatement Fund. This fund is a result of a $26 billion national settlement with opioid distributors and manufacturers. The County is using the Dec. 12 forum and other means to receive public input to help guide decisions on how the funding will be allocated within the County to help combat the opioid epidemic locally. 

Individuals who are unable to attend the forum but would like to provide input are invited to do so through the “Opioid Remediation Settlement Funds Use-Public Feedback” by clicking here.

The funding must be utilized to treat, prevent, or reduce opioid use disorder or the misuse of opioids through evidence-based or evidence-informed methods, programs, or strategies. Examples of eligible expenditures include medication-assisted treatment; prevention programs; support for those in treatment and recovery; to address the needs of pregnant or parenting women; research; training and more. 

According to Gloucester Sheriff Darrell Warren, Gloucester has had 20 opioid overdose deaths in the last two years. 

“Even one death due to drug overdose is one too many,” said Steve Wright, Gloucester’s Deputy County Administrator, who is overseeing the program locally. “Our intent is to use this and other community engagement opportunities to learn first-hand from our citizens who are or have been directly impacted by the opioid crisis. We want to know how we can best utilize this funding to help our residents and work to combat this terrible epidemic.”

In order to help staff prepare for this event, attendees are requested to RSVP by clicking here. Any questions regarding the forum can be directed to Steve Wright at swright@gloucesterva.info or 804-693-4042, or Gloria Williams, Community Engagement and Public Information Manager at gwilliams@gloucesterva.info or 804-693-5730.  

Thank you to all who attended this week's Faith-Based Breakfast hosted by our Emergency Management Department at Ware Episcopal Church.

Gloucester County Virginia Government is proud to work alongside our local faith-based organizations to help identify where there are needs in the community and how we can partner to address those needs.

To learn how you can be involved, call 804-693-1390 or e-mail DEM@gloucesterva.info.

We're super thankful for all the hard work put in by our Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism and Visit Gloucester Virginia staff over the weekend to make the 2022 Christmas & Holiday Parade a huge success! And grateful the rain stopped right as the parade was about to begin!!

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