BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Property taxes are rising by 20 percent in Belmont County but other parts of the state are seeing increases up to 50 percent, according to Belmont County Auditor Cindi Henry.
Belmont County property taxes could increase by 20 percent
The increases are part of a state-mandated property revaluation system that requires counties to reassess property values every six years.
Henry says the tax system is broken and her office has no control over the increases.
We have to do something to fix our fractured tax system, and I have no control over it. The state dictates what we do.
Belmont County Auditor Cindi Henry
Henry said in addition to the six-year state review, her office does also does a triannual review to check for property upgrades. Villages and cities also report upgrades or property changes to the auditor’s office.
She said new software the auditor’s office now uses makes the revaluation process easier for her staff and property owners. She has also found procedural and other errors that have now been fixed.
We have uncovered so much with our new software.
Belmont County Auditor Cindi Henry
Henry explained that auditor’s office staff is allowed to step on a resident’s property to complete an assessment but they do not enter backyards or inside homes. They take a photo of the front of the house which can be seen online but Henry said property owners can request that photos not be posted.
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.
