Arkansas funds assessment staff, assessor education, and reappraisal

The law provides funding for the division’s staff and operating costs. The funding is for the Department of Finance and Administration’s Assessment Coordination Division, which may have up to 33 regular employees. The division may use funds for up to three temporary or part-time workers, paid under applicable state pay rules. These staffing limits and amounts cover the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The law provides money for county assessor education and for division expenses paid from cash funds. The division receives $55,000 for operating expenses from a cash fund and $60,000 for its county assessor continuing education program. The $60,000 for continuing education comes from the County Assessors’ Continuing Education Trust Fund. Both appropriations cover the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The law provides money for real property reappraisal and directs transfers into the reappraisal fund. The $15,750,000 appropriation pays counties and professional reappraisal companies for real property reappraisal. Each month, the division director certifies the amount needed to pay counties and professional reappraisal companies. Transfers come from the Education Public School Fund Account, County Aid Fund, and Municipal Aid Fund; total transfers may not exceed $14,250,000 in a fiscal year. The appropriation is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The law allows the division to transfer funds after approval from the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State. These permissions apply to the Assessment Coordination Division’s funds and its Assessor’s School funding line. The division may transfer up to $1,500,000 from its Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account to the reappraisal fund. It may also move operating expense funds to the Assessor’s School line item for required training of assessment personnel. The transfer permissions apply during fiscal year 2026–2027.