Murfreesboro, TN - Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell is speaking out following a pointed critique from Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Jason Mumpower. During the October 2025 County Commission meeting, Mumpower delivered a harsh assessment of the Property Assessor’s Office, citing audit findings dating back to 2023. Mitchell, however, says the picture painted by the state is incomplete—and, in some cases, misleading.

In a statement sent to WGNS News, Mitchell called the Comptroller’s October 16 presentation “premature” and “less accurate than current data.” He emphasized that while the state flagged 1,700 accounts for review, his office had already identified those same properties due to a former employee’s health-related performance issues. After a second review, nearly half of those accounts were found to be accurate, bringing the actual error rate down to just over 4%.

Mitchell also took issue with the suggestion that his office had failed to assess certain properties. He pointed to one example where a building was left off the tax roll because it lacked electricity and HVAC—making it legally “not substantially complete.” He defended the appraisal process, noting that mass appraisals are not the same as fee appraisals, and that minor sketch discrepancies, like a $30,000 canopy on a $12 million building, don’t materially affect property values.

The Property Assessor also raised concerns about staffing. “We have fewer staff now than we did in 2012,” he said, despite Rutherford being the fastest-growing county in Tennessee. Mitchell claims repeated requests for more personnel were denied at the mayor’s recommendation. “I don’t fault the commission,” he added. “They rely on the honest best efforts of the mayor.”

Mitchell says he’s received only six calls from residents since the audit report, none of whom were angry or upset. “Our citizens are wise and deserve transparency,” he said. “Not election-year headlines.”

As the debate continues, Mitchell is urging residents to look beyond the politics and trust in the process. “I’m committed to doing what’s right,” he said, “without inciting panic for political gain.”

CLICK HERE to view the WGNS story about Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Jason Mumpower addressing the Rutherford County Commission regarding the County Property Assessor's office.  

NOTE: WGNS takes the responsibility seriously when reporting all sides of an issue. It is this media's desire to place all of the findings before the public and allow them to form their own opinions of what has happened.