The Wayne County Commission on Monday approved the county's final recommended equalized value after a presentation from Scott Vanderbergel, director of assessment and equalization for Wayne County.

Vanderbergel told the commission, “It's my pleasure to assist the county commission for another year, in fulfilling its statutory obligation to equalize assessments.” He said the report sets a single equalization factor so local assessments align for county equalization and gave the commission a summary of recent valuation changes.

The nut graf: Vanderbergel said the countywide assessed value rose about 7.6% year over year, while the more relevant taxable value rose about 5.5%, citing an inflation rate multiplier of about 3.1 and noting that residential properties saw the largest gains. That change will be used for tax calculations and revenue estimates in the coming fiscal cycle.

In his presentation, Vanderbergel said many communities saw double-digit increases in assessed values and that, “at the other side of the continuum, high teens up to 22% in some cases.” Commissioners asked no substantive questions after the presentation, and Commissioner Kenlock moved to approve the committee report that included the equalization findings; Commissioner Anderson supported the motion. Members then voted to approve the report.

Commissioners and staff framed the vote as the formal acceptance of the county-recommended equalized values and the accompanying assessment report. No amendments or follow-up assignments were recorded during the discussion.

Ending: The commission adopted the equalization report as presented; staff and the director of assessment will use the approved numbers for the county's tax and budget work underway this year.