Property assessments continue downward drift
The Morgan County Commission will perform one of its special duties
during the month of February — sitting as a Board of Equalization.
According to state law, the Commission must meet several times next month “for the purpose of reviewing and equalizing the assessment made by the assessor.”
Property owners interested in having their assessed values reviewed are asked to first contact the Morgan County Assessor’s Office. Any assessment issue that can’t be worked out by the Assessor can be brought to the Commission for further consideration.
To make an appointment with the Board of Equalization, contact the Morgan County Commission office at 304-258-8540, extension 1304. All meetings will be held in the County Commission meeting room, except for a final hearing at the Paw Paw Senior Center.
Meeting dates and times are:
- Wednesday, February 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Thursday, February 2 from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, February 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Wednesday, February 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Friday, February 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Wednesday, February 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Friday, February 17 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Paw Paw.
Values down
Letters notifying property owners of a significant assessment increase were sent out earlier this month, according to Assessor Ronnie McIntire.
More than 300 letters went out regarding assessment increases of 10% or more. McIntire said that’s fewer letters than last year, and significantly down from previous years.
Most assessment increases can be traced to additions, home improvement projects or renovations that have added value to homes, he said.
Property owners won’t get special notices if their land or home values have gone down, said McIntire. They’ll just see that assessment reduced on their tax bills when they come, he said.
“Assessed values are going down,” said McIntire, but he questioned if the reductions were fast enough.
He said his office works with property owners to make their assessments reasonable and accurate, based on valid sales and the state formula for valuation.
McIntire said he had seen more people come into his office recently to check into farming and managed timber exemptions for their property to reduce tax liabilities.
