Bill to Change Control of Richland Assessor Moves Forward

Long-time Richland County Assessor John Cloyd may soon have a new boss -- and, as a result, Richland County homeowners may have more recourse to challenge property assessments they disagree with.

Under a bill awaiting signature from Gov. Nikki Haley, Cloyd would report to the county administrator, The State reported.

The move to change whom Cloyd is accountable was pushed by the Richland County Council after getting complaints last year from homeowners who were unhappy with their home values but found they had little recourse.

"As it stands, the Richland County assessor – unlike in every other S.C. county – is neither elected nor hired by the county administrator but appointed by a commission that would be dissolved under the bill," the paper reported.