The real property tax collected by local taxing authorities is distributed on an ‘ad valorem’ basis. This simply means each property owner pays their fair share of the property tax burden in proportion to the value of the real property they own. To ensure fairness, all property values must be reviewed on a regular basis.

The Assessor and the department staff will be working to update the assessments. The Assessor will be responsible for the finished product. Additional help for some aspects of the project will be contracted out as not to add additional employees to the city payroll.

No! Only those properties that have new construction and those with questionable inventory will be recollected. Many times this will only require outside measurements. A document known as a “Data Mailer” will be sent out to each homeowner to verify the interior information sometime in May 2007. That inventory, together with updates from building permits, will be used as the basis for the 2008 update. Please note that the assessors office currently makes routine inspections of all properties. In addition, you may request an inspection of your home at any time. Every effort will be made to accommodate these requests.

No! You are not required to let someone into your home. It should be noted however that our goal is only to assure correct inventory. Without direct access, the State requires us to estimate this information based on what is normal for the area.
 

Yes. On or about March 3, 2008, In March 2009 each property owner will receive a “Disclosure Notice’ with the preliminary assessment and a relative tax estimate. This estimate assumes budgets for fiscal 2006/2007 2007/2008 are identical and all exemptions in effect for the 2007 2008 assessment roll remain valid. Unfortunately, the assessment is only one factor in the calculation of a tax bill. This office has no way of foreseeing any budget increases or changes in relative distributions in shared districts, such as a school districts.

Assessments will reflect 100% of market value ‘as of’ July 1, 2007 2008. The assessment of your property should be the approximate amount you would expect to sell the property for on the open market, under normal circumstances, between an educated, willing buyer and seller where it is assumed there are no unusual conditions attached to the sale.

Informal hearings will be held at stated times, by appointment, during March and April of 2008 2009. You will have an opportunity to review the information utilized in preparing your assessment with a Hearing Officer. After these informal hearings, participants will receive a notice stating the results of this informal process, on or about June 1, 2008 2009.

If you still believe you have a valid case, you must file a Petition with the Board of Assessment Review (Form: RP-524). This Complaint Form must be filed with the Assessor’s Office prior to June 17, 2008 2009 or with the Board on June 2008 2009.  You will have an opportunity to speak directly with the Board if you choose to do so. The Board of Assessment Review is an independent, quasi-judicial body, of local citizens. The Assessor is required by law to be in attendance at these hearings and may offer testimony in support of his value.