Keeping Pace With Growth Through Innovation, Accuracy, and Community Partnership
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
By John Burke, Scott County Property Valuation Administrator
Scott County is in the midst of one of the most transformative periods in its history. With an estimated 63,900 residents in 2026, including 41,882 within Georgetown’s city limits, our community continues to grow at an impressive 1.75% annually. If this trend continues, Scott County is projected to reach 100,000 residents within the next 15–20 years, a milestone that reflects both our economic strength and the quality of life that draws families and businesses here.
As your Property Valuation Administrator, I take seriously the responsibility of ensuring that our office keeps pace with this rapid change. Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings complexity. To meet that challenge, we have made innovation, transparency, and community support the foundation of our work.
But first…some background!
As your Property Valuation Administrator, I’m often asked what our office actually does and how it impacts the community. At its core, our responsibility is to ensure that all property in Scott County—homes, farms, businesses, and land—is assessed fairly, accurately, and at its true market value. These assessments form the foundation of the property tax system, which helps fund essential services like our schools, emergency response, libraries, and local government.
Our work goes beyond just assigning values. We maintain detailed property records, track ownership changes, update maps and parcel data, and ensure that any improvements or changes to properties are reflected accurately. We also administer exemptions for eligible residents, such as the homestead exemption, helping ensure that the system is applied fairly across the board.
It’s important to note that while our office determines property values, we do not set tax rates. Those are established by local taxing districts. Our role is to provide a fair and consistent valuation process so that taxes are distributed equitably among all property owners.
In a fast-growing county like Scott County, this work becomes even more critical. Accurate, up-to-date property data not only supports a fair tax system, but also plays a key role in planning, public safety, and responsible development—something you’ll see reflected throughout the work we’re doing every day.
Annual Aerial Flights: A Modern Tool for a Modern County
One of the most important advancements in our office has been the adoption of annual aerial photography flights. In a county growing as quickly as ours, imagery that is even two or three years old can be outdated. By flying every year, we ensure that we have the most accurate, high‑resolution view of Scott County’s landscape.
These aerials allow us to:
Identify new construction and additions
Track land‑use changes
Verify property characteristics
Maintain fair and equitable assessments
Support planning and infrastructure decisions
But the value of these flights extends far beyond property valuation. They have become a critical resource for public safety and community operations.
Supporting 911, Public Safety, and Schools
Our updated aerial imagery and mapping data are used daily by the agencies that keep Scott County safe and functioning smoothly. These include:
911 Dispatch
Accurate, current imagery helps dispatchers guide first responders to the right location quickly, especially in rural areas or new subdivisions where roads and structures may have changed.
Law Enforcement
Officers rely on updated maps for situational awareness, search operations, and emergency response planning.
Fire Departments
Firefighters use aerials to understand building layouts, access points, hydrant locations, and potential hazards—information that can save lives during an emergency.
EMS
Paramedics depend on accurate mapping to reach residents as quickly and safely as possible, especially in fast‑growing neighborhoods.
Schools
School districts use our data for bus routing, safety planning, and understanding how population growth affects enrollment and facility needs.
Local Government & Utilities
From road planning to water and sewer expansion, our imagery supports the infrastructure that keeps Scott County moving forward.
In many ways, the PVA office provides the geographic backbone that supports nearly every public‑facing service in the county.
Driving Economic Growth and Informed Development
Scott County’s growth is fueled not only by new residents but also by businesses, developers, and industries choosing to invest here. Our office plays a quiet but essential role in that process.
Realtors, developers, engineers, surveyors, and site‑selection professionals rely on our data to:
Evaluate potential development sites
Understand property boundaries and topography
Analyze market trends
Plan subdivisions and commercial projects
Make informed investment decisions
Accurate, accessible property information helps ensure that growth is strategic, sustainable, and beneficial to the entire community.
100% Free Public Access: www.scottkypva.com
Transparency is one of our core values. That’s why we are proud to offer 100% free public access to property records, maps, and assessment data through our website, www.scottkypva.com.
There are:
No subscriptions
No paywalls
No hidden fees
Whether you’re a homeowner reviewing your assessment, a business exploring opportunities, or a family considering a move to Scott County, our website is designed to serve you. The tools we provide help residents stay informed and engaged in the growth happening around them.
A Commitment to Service as Scott County Grows
As Scott County continues to expand, our office will continue to evolve with it. We are committed to:
Investing in modern technology
Maintaining accurate, up‑to‑date data
Supporting public safety and community services
Providing transparent access to information
Ensuring fair and equitable assessments for all property owners
Continuing education for myself and my staff to stay current with laws, best practices, and emerging technologies
Ongoing training ensures that our team remains knowledgeable, professional, and prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly growing county. As the landscape changes, so must we—and we take that responsibility seriously.
It is an honor to serve as your Property Valuation Administrator. Together, we can ensure that Scott County remains a thriving, well‑planned, and welcoming community for generations to come.
