Mecklenburg County will continue working to resolve thousands of outstanding appeals from last year's property revaluation despite a request from Cornelius leaders to stop because of worries the process was unfair.

Cornelius town commissioners say they have been slammed with questions and concerns about the revaluation from residents, many worried about "the lack of information or misinformation surrounding the appeal process." They asked for a moratorium on work until those issues can be addressed.

But County Attorney Marvin Bethune told county commissioners Wednesday that "as of this time we have not been able to find any specific statutory authority that addresses such a moratorium."

Assessor Garrett Alexander is expected to address some of the concerns raised in the letter by the Cornelius board, as well as give a general update on the revaluation, at next week's county commissioners meeting.

Alexander could not be reached for comment Wednesday. In an earlier email to commissioners, he wrote "the appeals process must run its course, and the BOCC is not provided the authority to stop it, or to give special consideration to some groups while the majority of the county citizens are treated differently."

The Cornelius request is another sign of lingering frustration about the new property values, the county's first mass reappraisal since 2003.

Mecklenburg leaders have long insisted the revaluation has been done properly and fairly. A state review also concluded the process used by the county was "sound."

But officials conceded early that the turbulent economy and length of time between revaluations could lead to more questions and appeals from property owners.

In Cornelius, many residents have accused the county of arbitrarily setting the new values. For example, they point to land values on properties along the cove. On one side, every lot was assigned a value of $350,000. On the other side, land was valued at $700,000 - regardless of the size of the lot or condition of the property.

Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte said some residents who challenged their property values have become frustrated after their appeals are being rejected with no explanation. More exasperating, he said, is that residents have spent money on getting independent appraisals that show a big discrepancy in the value assigned by the county and what the property could fetch on the market.

Tarte said he'd like to see state law changed to make it easier for the appraisals to be considered. Others from Cornelius said they wish there had been better communication between the county and residents, particularly about the process and timeline for considering appeals.

Some leaders said pausing the revaluation work could give the county time to improve the communication, and see if there are any broader issues with the way the values were set. Still, they also acknowledged the county has been responsive to some concerns raised and are working within the restraints of the laws for the revaluation.

Mecklenburg commissioner Karen Bentley, whose district includes the northern towns, said she understands the frustrations voiced by those in Cornelius. She called the town's situation unique, largely because it has properties along 70 miles of shoreline that has changed dramatically since the last revaluation.

Still, Cornelius leaders insist they're not asking for special treatment for the town. "They have a flawed system," said town commissioner Chuck Travis. "If it's flawed for us, it's flawed for everyone (across the county.)"

The letter from Cornelius comes as the county is still trying to resolve thousands of revaluation appeals.

Assistant Assessor Eric Anderson said county staffers have completed their review of all but about 450 informal appeals filed. The remaining decisions should be sent to property owners before the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the Board of Equalization and Review, a citizens panel that hears formal appeals, has considered 27 percent of the roughly 8,200 appeals it has received.