TITLE
Title
RECOGNIZE GUILFORD COUNTY TAX DEPARTMENT FOR AWARDS RECEIVED DURING THE 2026 NC ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSING OFFICERS FALL CONFERENCE
end
SPONSOR
Sponsor
Vice Chair J. Carlvena Foster
end
BACKGROUND
Background
For the 2nd year in a row, the Guilford County Tax Department was presented the Joseph E. Hunt Large Jurisdictional Award at the 2026 North Carolina Association of Assessing Officers Fall conference. NCAAO only gives this award when it is deemed justified. This award is in recognition of achievement in areas of property tax assessment or collection for the implementation of a project that enhances the overall effectiveness of a county tax department.
Guilford’s submission was for developing an Income Model Classification Matrix. The model speeds up decision-making for the commercial reappraisal. An appraiser can classify a commercial property in minutes, confident that the economics tied to that choice will align with investor logic and market patterns. This saves time across thousands of parcels without sacrificing accuracy. It can also be utilized by other counties on the North Carolina Property Tax System. The outcome is a system that yields defendable values, saves field time and delivers equity at scale - precisely what mass appraisal is designed to accomplish.
The award was established to honor Joseph E Hunt, past President and Fellow of the International Association of Assessing Officers. He also served as a faculty member of the School of Government in property tax appraisal and assessment. He was instrumental in developing designation standards for appraisers and tax offices.
Nolan Lawson was awarded 2026 Appraiser of the Year at the same conference. With over thirty (30) years of dedicated public service, Nolan has made his mark in the tax offices of three (3) counties: Stokes, Forsyth and Guilford. His legacy is one of unwavering integrity and profound knowledge.
In 2023, Nolan joined the Guilford County Tax Department and quickly assumed the role of Reappraisal Manager. At that time, the county was preparing for a 2027 reappraisal. However, like many counties across the state, the sales ratio fell below state standards, requiring a reappraisal in 2027. Nolan was new to the county and part of a relatively fresh management team. He handled this unexpected change with unyielding poise.
Nolan is always willing to take the time to answer questions, often diving deep into information that goes far beyond what one seeks, driven not by self-promotion but by a genuine passion for sharing his expertise with those eager to learn. Under Nolan’s leadership, the Tax Department has made significant strides in improving data and equity.
end
REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Recognize the Guilford County Tax Department for awards received during the 2026 NC Association of Assessing Officer Fall Conference.
end