Revaluation can be a tough time for government, particularly when the economy declines and, as a result, property values dip with it.

Such was the case in November 2010, just before the 2011 revaluation. Tax officials asked county commissioners to delay the coming revaluation. At the time, the ongoing economic recession was top-of-mind for Rowan County commissioners, considering approving a schedule of values that would allow the revaluation — when the tax assessor’s office takes a comprehensive look at the current state of tax values across the county — to proceed.

The late Commissioner Jon Barber put the situation facing county commissioners in stark terms.

If the tax base was going to decrease as a result of the recession and the county wanted to get back to revenue neutral — generating the same amount of revenue as the prior year through taxes — Barber said there would have to be a tax increase. Barber said no one on the board wanted to increase taxes. Cuts were the only other option, he said. Then-Commissioner Raymond Coltrain moved that the board delay the revaluation to let the economy stabilize. But, while Barber seconded the motion, it ultimately failed by a 2-3 count, according to the meeting minutes.

Speaking against the delay, then-Commissioner Carl Ford said predictions from homebuilders and Realtors were that the economy would not change for the better in another year. It was time for the government to live within its means, Ford said.

This time, two revaluations and an economic recovery after the 2010 conversation, Rowan is facing something much better. County Manager Aaron Church says this year’s tax revaluation will show the improved economy — one in which for sale signs don’t stay in yards very long before purchase negotiations are underway.

That means property taxes, if rates remain flat, could beef up local government budgets. Though, revaluation may not create the same effect across the county and some municipalities may see sharper increases than others or none at all.

If conventional wisdom is right, we hope local governments view any increase in the tax base as an opportunity to explore property tax cuts and maintain a revenue-neutral rate or stash the extra revenue for a rainy day.

Sure, the economy is humming along now, but the 2010 conversation may return sooner than government finance managers across Rowan would like. When that happens, it’s best to have an extra cushion upon which to rely to keep government running.