Duties of the PVA

The Property Valuation Administrator is a locally elected state official. This means that he is accountable to both local constituents and the KY Department of Revenue, the state agency charged with administering tax laws, collecting revenue, and providing services in a fair, courteous, and efficient manner for the benefit of the Commonwealth and its citizens.

The PVA is specifically charged by statute with listing and valuing all property, both real and personal, within his county of jurisdiction.  As set forth in Kentucky’s Constitution, on January 1 of each year every property is to be assessed at “Fair Cash Value,” which is considered to be the value that property would bring if sold under current market conditions, without undue influence on either the buyer or seller.  In practice this requirement is met utilizing a Quadrennial Review, a process of physically examining and revaluing properties no less than once every four years.  Changes to values in intervening years typically reflect new construction, direct sales, physical changes to property characteristics, and other relevant facts.  In every instance of determining property value, the Fair Cash Value is the guiding principle. 

There are exceptions to this assessment process.  Some property is centrally assessed by the Department of Revenue, including motor vehicles, boats, bank shares and omitted tangible property, and property held by public service companies.  The PVA also enters reports for tangible property into a state database, based on owner submissions.

Two primary components determine the amount of a property tax bill: the assessment and the tax rate.  Contrary to some people's belief, the PVA does not determine the amount of the tax bills; he does not set the tax rates, nor does he collect taxes.  Assessments are determined by the PVA and the rates are determined by each taxing entity (state, school, health, hospital, library, extension and county) based on the needs of their budgets.

In order to assess real property, the PVA must maintain ownership records, sales and assessment histories, photographs, and property characteristics for every parcel of property.  Accuracy is checked against market activity with ratio studies.  Addresses are constantly recorded and updated so that everyone receives notification of tax due.  Maps are systematically redrawn as deeds are recorded, and that information is integrated with other property characteristics.

In the performance of these duties the PVA bears both the responsibility and the opportunity to safeguard the public trust, by working to ensure that a growing tax base is accurately documented to maintain stable, predictable growth for the future of the county and its residents.

Marshall County PVA
1101 Main Street
Benton, Ky. 42025