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Farmers tell commissioners rising property values, CAUV classification threaten family farms
Summary
Two residents from Brighton Township told the board that rising property valuations and the auditor’s use of a “residual property” classification are increasing tax bills sharply and putting family farms at risk; speakers said forensic records gaps and a pending class action are in progress.
Two residents and farmers, Bill Mondak and Marty Whitney of Brighton Township, addressed the Lorain County commissioners during the Feb. 11 public-comment period, urging action or clarification about recent property-tax valuation changes they said are harming family farms.
Bill Mondak described severe increases in property taxes and said the county auditor is using a “residual property” classification that shifts land from the Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) to full market value. Mondak explained he has land where grassed erosion-control waterways — installed to meet federal/state conservation and crop-insurance compliance — are now being assessed at higher values, which he said compromises his ability to participate in federal programs and crop insurance requirements. “The increase in the property taxes is really, really putting a big hurt,” Mondak said.
Marty Whitney, who provided the board with a written letter, said some neighbors have seen parcel valuations as much as 300% higher and that a group of about 40 farmers has joined a proposed class action against the county auditor over the assessments. Whitney urged the commissioners to work with state contacts and local officials to seek remedies or education and to follow up with the county auditor’s office.
Commissioners noted that auditor matters fall under the elected auditor’s jurisdiction but said the issue is appropriate for the public-comment portion of the meeting. The board asked staff to refer the speakers’ concerns to the county auditor for clarification and to make the submitted letters part of the record.
No formal action was taken. Commissioners encouraged the speakers to submit contact information and offered to request clarifying information from the auditor’s office.
