• By Todd Luck
• Posted Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Forsyth County’s John Burgiss is NC Tax Assessor of the Year

Forsyth County’s John Burgiss received the 2023 North Carolina Assessor of the Year Award from the NC Association of Assessing Officers (NCAAO) on Nov. 16 at the NCAAO Conference Banquet in Wilmington.

Burgiss has served as the tax assessor and collector of Forsyth County since 2011. His Tax Department has a collection rate of 99.33 for last fiscal year, collecting more than $272 million in County property taxes. This is the eighth consecutive year the collection rate has been more than 99 percent.

During his tenure, the department started its customer service call center, worked through its collection processes to ensure they’re as fair and thorough as possible, and transitioned from internal tax software to the NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) North Carolina Property Tax System. Burgiss also helped create an automated sales comparison approach within the County’s tax system.

Burgiss, who has worked for Forsyth’s Tax Department since 1994, leads a team of 74 employees. He’s a NC certified assessor and appraiser. He holds a Residential Evaluation Specialist designation from the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). He’s past chair of the County’s GIS Steering Committee. He’s served on multiple committees of the NCAAO and was recently the association's president.

"I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected as North Carolina's 2023 Tax Assessor of the Year, said Burgiss. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve as Forsyth County Tax Assessor/Collector, and enjoy the ability to work alongside our wonderful and talented staff every day. It takes all of us to achieve success in our work. We are well supported by the County Commissioners, county management, vendors and each other.

We strive to provide fair, accurate and courteous service to our community in support of vital County services. I am pleased with many of our results and hope to continue improvement as opportunities and abilities exist. Lord willing, and with the support of my wife and family, I look forward to continue on in service to Forsyth County."