Reassessment notices were mailed to Mathews County residents recently, prompting a flood of complaints to county supervisors. But board members say that Virginia law prevents them from intervening in the process.

Supervisor O.J. Cole said that, in addition to calling him on the telephone, people have been visiting his store to find out "what we’re going to do about it," and all he can tell them is "nothing—until after March 15th." That’s when the Board of Equalization, comprised of local residents with expertise in real estate matters, is scheduled to wind up its job of evaluating complaints from fellow residents who aren’t happy with their assessments.

Cole said the calls range from people who are very upset to those who are just curious. Some are worried about being able to hold onto land their families have had for generations, he said, while one man was worried because the value of his property had decreased and he thought something...