Comptroller's Office reviews Davidson County property valuations amid concerns

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office is reviewing Davidson County property valuations at the request of Speaker Cameron Sexton. This comes as homeowners and businesses have expressed growing concern over their appraisals, some believing it's too high. The Tennessee Comptroller’s office told FOX 17 News in part, “We are currently in the process of reviewing properties that are primarily located in the lower Broadway central business district.” Properties like Acme Feed & Seed are located on Lower Broadway. Thomas Morales is the owner. "What do you think about the way your property was valued?" asked FOX 17 News Karen Aguilar. "Well, we are kind of upset," replied Morales. "450% increase, which is more than our rent, which is more than our net profit." Morales understands property values are rising but he said it should not be at this level. "Well, it's gonna put us out of business," said Morales. "We're a small business, and but we're also the driver of the economy. And beyond that, we're the cultural driver of the economy." He said he has appealed the assessment. "The problem is, is everybody that's getting hit by this has filed an appeal, so the appeal is being delayed," said Morales. Speaker Sexton is rallying behind voices like Morales. He asked the Comptroller to look into the property value assessments after hearing from numerous businesses and homeowners. "Do you believe properties are being intentionally overvalued?" I asked Speaker Sexton. "I'm not going to make accusations on the property assessor's office," he replied. "The question is how did all these higher evaluations happen from one year to the next? And that's what we hope to get into and making sure that the way you're appraised is happening (correctly)." Davidson County Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite sent FOX 17 News a statement that reads in part: "We welcome any review of our work and the revenue-neutral Reappraisal process that utilized the state-required Mass Appraisal approach. With the oversight of the State of Tennessee, our office operates with fairness, equity, and transparency, and we have always proactively encouraged property owners, both residential and commercial, to appeal timely if they disagree with their property value or their property classification." Speaker Sexton said there is a backlog of appeals Wilhoite said the amount of appeals are unprecedented: 14,629 Appeals Hearings from June 1, 2025, to November 25, 2026. But she said the scheduling of the hearings is "not a backlog for a volunteer board." "Well, I mean, I appreciate her, you know, parsing words, it seems like," said Speaker Sexton. "Seems like a long time for that deep process." He adds that if the volunteer board was the issue, it should have already been addressed. Wilhoite said, "Formal Appeals to the independent Metropolitan Board of Equalizations...are volunteers, usually realtors, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Metropolitan Council." As for the current review of the property valuations, Sexton said it might extend past Lower Broadway as homeowners and property owners across Davidson County have expressed frustration. https://fox17.com/news/local/tennesse... _______________ Follow! Like! Share! Subscribe! WZTV on Facebook:   / foxnashville   WZTV on X:   / foxnashville   https://fox17.com Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 615.369.1717 Fox 17 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for Nashville and nearby towns and communities in Middle Tennessee, including Forest Hills, Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, Dickson, Clarksville, White House, Greenbrier, Springfield, Gallatin, Hartsville, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, College Grove, Thompson’s Station, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Manchester, McMinnville, Smithville, Sparta, Cookeville, Hohenwald, Waverly, Camden, Paris, Lafayette, Portland, and in Kentucky, Russelville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Alvaton, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Glasgow. #WZTV #fox17news #foxnashville #nashville #tennessee #tn #middletn #localnews #breakingnews #trending