Decision on ‘EagleView’ Contractual Oversight of Photographic Assessment Technology Delayed to November 17

Unresolved questions on financial revenue impacts versus contractural costs led to a delay in a decision on a Warren County/EagleView partnership on use of remote aerial camera photos for property assesments on a variety of fronts. By a 4-1 vote, with Richard Jamieson dissenting, the supervisors reset a vote to revisit a proposed 3-year contractual partnership with EagleView/Pictometry International Corporation for the November 17th meeting. The contractor EagleView’s mailing address was listed as 25 Methodist Hill Drive, Rochester, NY 14623.

A staff summary of the contractual parameters and the County’s use of the involved technology provided this background before supervisors heard a presentation by Pictometry International Corporation/EagleView District Manager Jonathan Broida.

Technology & County usage

“EagleView is a software that will be used by the Reassessment Department, GIS, Planning & Zoning, etc. They will do a flyover every 3 years and take oblique image frames from the sky. This data can be used as a virtual walk-around of properties instead of an in-person site visit. This software is being used in other localities near Warren, including Shenandoah, Frederick, and Fauquier Counties, and the County will have access to these other localities for border issues.”

It was noted here that currently Warren County’s accuracy on such assessments was at a somewhat higher rate, 84.9, than those neighboring counties. However, it provided no detail on variables that might account for that differing accuracy rate.

“The Real Estate Department will be able to use these oblique images for measuring structures, asphalt, driveways, buildings, other improvements, reassessment for current and future years, and enforcement on the land use program. This data can also be used for disaster relief response,” the staff report added.

Decision on ‘EagleView’ contractual Oversight of photographic assessment technology delayed to November 17

Discussion indicated that the involved technology was deemed accurate to one inch in height, which it was said was becoming an industry standard. Manned aircraft carry the cameras and, barring emergency situations like wildfires, one flight per year is scheduled.

Warren County Commissioner of the Revenue Sherry Sours appeared with EagleView’s District Manager Broida to answer questions about the economic impact on County revenues. The best-case scenario noted was that the County’s savings would cover the annual contract price.

The pre-prepared staff summary noted that — “$34,284 was included and approved as part of the FY27 budget in line 4-1-12110-5415.” However, the proposed contract would be for 3 years, bringing the total contractual expenditure to $100,000.

“I’m not comfortable spending $100,000 without proof of benefit,” Supervisor Jamieson said, expressing his opposition to approving the proposed 3-year contract. And while Jamieson declined to support the November 17 meeting extension on a decision, as noted above, all four of his colleagues indicated they believed no harm would come from waiting a month to get more information on all the variables on the table.

An EagleView graphic on its operational training perspective. Below, County Attorney Jason Ham at Admin table with Assistant/Interim County Administrator Jane Meadows. Ham fielded questions on legal variables involved in the EagleView operational product.

County Attorney Jason Ham also fielded questions on legal aspects of the proposed remote technology and its use. One question Ham got was FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) variables for challenges of county rulings based on the aerial photography. Ham told the board that he believed the accumulated information gathered would be FOIA-able by any involved entity with a legal issue submitted.

As to the nature of the EagleView contact on the table, the staff report stated that, “This Contract shall commence on the date of final signature and be for the period of three years. Unless either party gives notice of its intent to not renew the Contract at least 120 days prior to the end of the term, the Contract will automatically renew for additional … terms consisting of three years each until notice of non-renewal is given by either party.”

The County Supervisors had a lot on the table to reflect on prior to a final vote, now targeted for Nov. 17, on the proposed 3-year contract with EagleView on keeping a photographic record of county real estate variables from year to year

See the County video for additional detail on this item, as well as others on the meeting agenda. An overview of those other items will be addressed in a coming Royal Examiner story.

Watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Meeting of October 20, 2026