|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Originally published Aug. 21, 2024
BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Belmont County property owners may have sticker shock when they see their next tax bills, which could increase by up to 20 percent. But residents have a chance to dispute their property value and perhaps lower their tax bill.
River News Network looked into the property tax increase in an exclusive interview with
Belmont County Auditor Cindi Henry.
Henry explained that Belmont County is not increasing your taxes. The increase comes from a statewide re-evaluation of property values across the state of Ohio which occurs every six years.
Belmont County hired property appraisal teams which have been doing valuations across the county. They check for things like exterior home improvements including decks, garages and buildings that can increase a property’s value. Appraisers took photos of properties and aerial surveys were also completed in seasons where there were no leaves on the trees that would obstruct views.
Henry said not all property owners were cooperative. Some workers were met with shotguns and other people refused to open property gates.
Henry said the state tax system is overly complicated, but Ohio determines what counties can do.
It’s extremely convoluted. We have to do what they tell us to do.
Cindi Henry, Belmont County Auditor
Residents in all 88 Ohio counties are subject to the complex and pricey tax system. The state does not do property re-evaluations all at once. Instead, they are staggered by groups of counties.
Henry said Belmont County residents do have recourse if they disagree with their property values, though.
Property owners can schedule an informal hearing with the auditor’s staff at the Belmont County Courthouse. Henry strongly encourages residents to take advantage of the informal hearing.
The Belmont County Auditor’s office is mailing bright yellow cards later this week to residents to let them know about the informal hearing process. Residents can call for an appointment or scan the QR code on the card to schedule an appointment online.
Henry said the appointments will be scheduled at times most convenient for property owners, including after regular business hours and on Saturdays. Informal hearings will be held this summer and into the fall.
It’s important for residents to address any questions they have on their property values now since increased values could affect their mortgages if they are escrowed by the lender, says Carly Stephen, Real Estate Manager for the Belmont County Auditor’s office.
The values could also change tax bills, and the auditor’s office wants residents to have a chance to review and question the amounts, Stephen said.
Henry explained if residents are not satisfied with the outcome of the informal hearing, they can go to the next level and request a “BTA” hearing from the state in Columbus. She said in some cases, property owners can have tax overages reimbursed or applied to the next tax bill.
Henry said the auditor’s office has been revamped since she came onboard three years ago. One of their biggest improvements was a new website that breaks down where your taxes go to the penny.
You can see your updated property value on the auditor’s site here.
The site also shows how much of your tax money goes to levies, which can be substantial.
Follow River News Network online and on Facebook for more details on the new Belmont County auditor’s website and how much of your tax money goes to levies.