Residents press commission over steep tax increases, confusion about new fire levy

Three Putnam County residents told the Putnam County Commission on July 29 that recent property tax increases have strained household budgets and that the county’s new fire levy has caused confusion on tax bills. Gary Justice, who identified himself as a resident of 1012 Crestmont Road in Hurricane, asked the commission, “how do I merit a thousand dollar increase in my taxes in the last 2 years?” and described paying a $1,289.62 line item he understood to be a fire fee. Justice said he had not been given a clear explanation of the rise in his tax bill. Deandra Higginbotham, who identified herself during public comment, described receiving duplicate-looking notices and asked why she received one bill in January but another with an October due date. “Nobody can tell me what dates and months or year that that $37.50 pays for,” she said, referring to a $37.50 line on her bill. Philip Paris, a Winfield resident, said he had visited the assessor’s office twice and was told he would need to pay for a private appraisal to challenge his property value. Paris said comparable local homes showed per‑square‑foot values far lower than the assessor’s valuation for his property. Commissioners responded that the assessor is an independently elected official and that the commission does not set individual assessments. A commissioner advised residents to meet with the assessor’s office and to use the board of review and equalization in February if they wish to contest values. The commission’s speaker also explained the county’s explanation of assessed value: that assessed value is intended to be 60% of appraised value and that the state evaluates assessors’ performance to keep appraisals within 90–110% of market value. Commission staff and commissioners noted that the ballot measure enacted a fire levy (not a fee) effective July 1 and that the levy’s collection now falls under the county tax office and county commission oversight. Residents pressed for transparency and refunds where they believed they had been charged twice; commissioners said the tax office and assessor’s office were the appropriate places to resolve individual disputes. Why it matters: property valuations and levies directly affect taxpayer bills and can produce widespread public concern when values rise or billing labels change. Residents who want relief were advised to pursue individual appeals through the assessor’s office and the statutory board of review. The commission did not take formal action on taxation policy during the public-comment portion; rather, commissioners referred residents to the assessor’s office and explained administrative processes and appeal options.