Council approves controversial property tax assessments after lengthy evaluation process

The Woods County Tax Roll Correction Board convened on January 13, 2025, to address various tax assessment issues and corrections for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting focused on reviewing assessed values and making necessary adjustments based on new information.

The discussions began with a review of the differences between old and new tax assessments. Board members examined specific figures, noting a significant change in assessed values, with one member highlighting a drop from 30.8 dollars to 1.205786 dollars. This prompted questions about the implications of these changes and how they would affect taxpayers.

As the meeting progressed, members discussed the assessed values for different districts, with particular attention to discrepancies between the county's assessments and those from other entities. One member pointed out that the county's assessment was 15.6, while another was at 13.6, raising concerns about the accuracy of the figures.

The board moved through several agenda items, approving motions for various tax roll corrections. One notable case involved a property in District 3, which had a significant adjustment of $83. The board also addressed issues related to properties that had not provided necessary information for accurate assessments, leading to inflated values in some cases.

Members expressed frustration over the lengthy process of obtaining accurate data, which had taken five years and required court intervention. Despite the challenges, the board acknowledged that the current assessments were final and would not be revisited.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the complexities of tax assessments in Woods County, with board members emphasizing the need for accurate data to ensure fair taxation. The board's decisions will impact property owners as they prepare for the upcoming tax year.