PARKERSBURG, W.Va. -- West Virginia assessors say a multimillion-dollar state-funded property appraisal study is a duplication of efforts and a potential waste of money.

Fayette County Assessor Eddie Young, president of the state Assessors Association, says his group has questioned the need for the statewide study since 2008.

Young said the state will spend between $2 million and $4 million on the private study that will look at assessed property values in all 55 counties. Nineteen counties currently are under review and the study should be finished within three years.

Wood County Assessor Rich Shaffer says the study duplicates efforts already performed by the state Tax Department. He says the Tax Department should have received the money, not a private contractor.

Fayette County Assessor Eddie Young, president of the state Assessors Association, says his group has questioned the need for the statewide study since 2008.

Young said the state will spend between $2 million and $4 million on the private study that will look at assessed property values in all 55 counties. Nineteen counties currently are under review and the study should be finished within three years.

Wood County Assessor Rich Shaffer says the study duplicates efforts already performed by the state Tax Department. He says the Tax Department should have received the money, not a private contractor.