The spring 2023 landowner map book for Fall River County has been published.  Pages can be viewed online and printed.  Bound copies of the book are available from the Director of Equalization’s office at 1029 N River Street for $20. (cash or check only)

(Updated 5/15/2023) Week of May 15th: With an update in the weather forecast and some good work on Monday the assessors have increased their plans for this week.  The properties they will try to get to include those accessed from Lone Tree Rd, S Buffalo Gap Rd, Beaver Creek & Beaver Valley Rds, Elm Creek Rd, W Oral Rd (North side from Fairview to Town of Oral). They will also have a team working in the WG Flat and Oral Loop Area.  See new map below.

(Original Post) Week of May 15th: Assessors will be working around the rain this week. They have mostly finished the Town of Oral and will be continuing with properties accessed from West Oral Rd, Elm Creek Rd, South Buffalo Gap Rd (from Elm Creek Rd to Oral), Hidden Valley Rd, Fairview Rd, Irrigation Rd, Sage Rd, Ash Rd, Hay Canyon Rd (west 5 miles), Shady Rd (north 2 miles).

Why my property?  Fall River County implemented a 7-year rotation after the county-wide reassessment was completed.  This ensures that every property is physically visited by an assessor at least once every 7 years.  Your neighborhood is one of those scheduled to be visited this year.

What is reassessment?    Reassessment is when the assessor comes to your property to check for any changes, whether improvements or deterioration of buildings.  They will take new exterior photos and walk around the outside of your buildings.  If you are present they may ask you questions about the interior of the building, if you are not present they will leave a doorhanger with contact information so they can converse with you about the property later via phone or email.

When exactly will you be at my property?  We will be posting on our website which streets are being assessed each week, you can check there for updates.

Why don’t you make appointments? The short answer: it takes less time for our assessors to start at one end of the street and do each property than it does to jump from property to property based on appointments.  As we are paid by tax dollars, we consider it most important that we perform this job in a time efficient manner.   The door-to-door method has proven to be three times more efficient than making appointments.

Who is coming? Our assessors will have county identification badges and will be driving a county vehicle. If you are suspicious that someone is falsely claiming to be an assessor, please call our office at 605-745-5136 or Fall River County Dispatch at 605-745-5155.

See Summer Reassessment page for maps of Summer 2023 reassessment area.

The Fall River County Director of Equalization is accepting applications for a certified assessor. Those without South Dakota CAA certification can apply as an assessor trainee. This position involves performing field inspections of properties, including gathering and listing information, entering data, uploading photos and doing sketches of all properties. Also, assisting with other various day to day office activities. Qualifications include strong computer skills, the ability to read legal descriptions and maps, and experience in customer service and good public relations skills. A background in finance, property appraisal, real estate, or construction is beneficial but not required. The requirements include: a high school diploma (college degree preferred), South Dakota CAA certification or the ability to gain such within one year, and a valid driver’s license. The starting wage is $15.50/hour for a trainee, $17-$18/hour for a certified assessor depending on experience. Benefits include paid health, vision and dental insurance; vacation, sick and personal leave and South Dakota State Retirement. Submit applications to the Fall River County Director of Equalization office, 1029 N. River St, Hot Springs, SD. Closing May 31st or when filled. 

See employment page for application and full description.

Week of May 8th: Assessors have begun their summer reassessment project. They will be beginning with properties in the town of Oral and properties accessed from West Oral Rd, Elm Creek Rd, South Buffalo Gap Rd (from Elm Creek Rd to Oral), Hidden Valley Rd, Fairview Rd, Irrigation Rd, Sage Rd, Ash Rd, Hay Canyon Rd (west 5 miles), Shady Rd (north 2 miles).

Why my property?  Fall River County implemented a 7-year rotation after the county-wide reassessment was completed.  This ensures that every property is physically visited by an assessor at least once every 7 years.  Your neighborhood is one of those scheduled to be visited this year.

What is reassessment?    Reassessment is when the assessor comes to your property to check for any changes, whether improvements or deterioration of buildings.  They will take new exterior photos and walk around the outside of your buildings.  If you are present they may ask you questions about the interior of the building, if you are not present they will leave a doorhanger with contact information so they can converse with you about the property later via phone or email.

When exactly will you be at my property?  We will be posting on our website which streets are being assessed each week, you can check there for updates.

Why don’t you make appointments? The short answer: it takes less time for our assessors to start at one end of the street and do each property than it does to jump from property to property based on appointments.  As we are paid by tax dollars, we consider it most important that we perform this job in a time efficient manner.   The door-to-door method has proven to be three times more efficient than making appointments.

Who is coming? Our assessors will have county identification badges and will be driving a county vehicle. If you are suspicious that someone is falsely claiming to be an assessor, please call our office at 605-745-5136 or Fall River County Dispatch at 605-745-5155.

See Summer Reassessment page for maps of Summer 2023 reassessment area.