Mary Jane Michalak, a spokeswoman for the Department of Local Government Finance, said the agency knows that assessors are working hard but wanted to “send a message” to counties that they have to fulfill their obligations. Other counties are delinquent as well but have contacted the agency to explain.

“We’ll still consider revoking certifications for assessors in other counties” who fail to meet future deadlines, Michalak said.

Still, the certification revocation may be largely symbolic. An assessor who loses certification could continue to work and be paid.

A new state law prohibits assessors from running for re-election in 2010 if they are not certified. But the agency can revoke certification for no more than one year, so assessors whose terms last through 2010 would be largely unaffected.