Edgar County residents warn of steep equalized assessed value increases, urge broader notice

A group of residents and county staff at an Edgar County Board meeting raised alarms about recent equalized assessed value increases and whether taxpayers will receive adequate notice before tax bills arrive. A resident representing several townships said preliminary figures show many townships facing roughly 10% EAV increases and urged the county to notify affected property owners individually so they have an opportunity to appeal.

The concern matters because assessment increases raise taxable value and can raise bills if taxing bodies maintain or increase their levies. "It's just a warning that ... the numbers are indicating a majority of the townships around another 10% increase," the resident said, adding that some townships are seeing increases in the millions and that reviewers are parsing lengthy township reports.

County staff and board members discussed the…