Gilroy
LIMA — As property owners in Allen County are learning about updated valuations to their properties determined through a recent state-mandated reappraisal, the Allen County Auditor’s Office is giving property owners the opportunity to make their case in disputing those new valuations.
According to Allen County Auditor Rachael Gilroy, this year’s reappraisal, conducted as part of the state’s six-year property valuation cycle through the Ohio Department of Taxation, has resulted in county residential property values rising on average by 26 percent. While that does not necessarily mean that property taxes will rise by the same amount, Gilroy said, those increased valuations do have an impact on what taxes property owners will pay.
“Some [valuation increases] were as high as 40 percent,” she said. “Some properties are worth that now, but there are some where we don’t know the characteristics of that home, and there might be some extenuating circumstances that we’re not aware of, so we hold informal hearings to make sure everybody can come in and have a chance to discuss their property and see if there’s something about their property we should know that will help us lower the value for them.”
These informal hearings began for residential property owners Tuesday morning at the Allen County Job and Family Services training center, located behind the JFS main office building at 951 Commerce Parkway, Lima. Several stations have been set up for staff from the auditor’s office to meet with property owners and discuss the new valuations in the hopes that the valuations can be reduced before final valuations are submitted to the state in October.
“We’re asking people to come in with evidence, some kind of proof, to show us why their property shouldn’t be listed as high,” Gilroy said. “Things they can bring are pictures, especially since, as they say, pictures are worth a thousand words. Show us the foundation that’s cracked or the wet basement or the plumbing in the bathroom that’s not working, something other than just general upkeep on a house.”
Those owning rental properties should also bring paperwork showing their rental income, Gilroy said, as that also goes into determining property values.
The informal hearings will continue until 6 p.m. Tuesday and will also run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the training center. The office held informal hearings with about 300 people last year, Gilroy said, and she anticipates that number to be higher this year. Staff will also be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the auditor’s office at the courthouse, 301 N. Main St., Room 105, to hold informal hearings with commercial property owners. No appointment is needed to participate.
