Some Harnett County residents could fear a much higher property tax bill after a spike in property values.

When Jerry Rivas bought his Harnett County home, he thought it would be forever.

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“My wife is buried right back there about 100 yards from here,” said Rivas. “I plan on being buried there.”

Now, he’s worried about being able to stay.

His real property value shot up from just over $38,000 in 2025 to over $82,000 this year. He said he’s worried about how this will impact his tax bill.

“I don't quite understand how a mobile home that was worth $2,500 last year [can] be worth almost $37,000 this year.”

A spokesperson for Harnett County said some property values rose after a recent, required reassessment. 

"[State law] mandates that counties conduct reappraisals at least once every 8 years to align assessed values with the 'true value in money,'" Harnett County Public Information Officer Desiree Patrick said in an email to WRAL on Wednesday. 

Patrick noted county staff "analyze market sales to determine market patterns and trends in different locations."

Harnett County also implemented changes to how mobile homes are assessed. 

During Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, leaders discussed changed to how property taxes are evaluated.

Vice-chair Matt Nicol proposed taxing residents on the value of their property when it was purchased.

Currently, properties are taxed on what they were assessed at during reevaluation.

"People have to sell. We've seen that across the county. People are being taxed out of their homes," Nicol said. 

The Anderson Creek area of Harnett County is the third fastest growing "micropolitan" area in the entire country, according to Census data released in March. 

Commissioners said a change in how property taxes are calculated could hurt new residents. There is also concern about the impacts to tax revenue.

The Board passed a resolution requesting that state lawmakers pass a local act that would allow Harnett leaders to explore the possible changes.

Living solely off social security, Rivas is looking for relief.

“This is my home,” Rivas said. “What if next year your stuff goes up so high you can't pay your tax bill?

Residents can appeal their reassessments until May 8th at 5 p.m.