Staff explains five-year reassessment, rollback and how millage affects tax bills

At the Oct. 24 meeting, county staff provided a lay explanation of the five-year property reassessment, how reassessment affects tax bills and the county’s rollback process.

Staff explained that the county is required to reassess property values every five years and that state rules limit how much the county may increase assessed values without additional processes; staff noted a 15% cap on how much individual property values can be increased for the current cycle. The presentation emphasized that higher assessed values will typically increase tax bills even when local millage rates are rolled back to offset value gains.

Staff described the distinction between county and school-district revenue on residential property: the county rolled back millage and did not increase its millage rate; the school district’s revenue and debt service are administered separately. A staff member said the school district’s revenue changes are not under county control and that the school district received additional revenue this year that staff described as effectively similar to a substantial millage increase.

Staff invited council members and constituents to follow up with county finance staff for individualized explanations and offered in-person assistance for residents who had questions about reassessment and rollback mechanics.

No vote was taken on the reassessment information: the item was informational and intended to help councilors respond to constituent questions about rising tax bills.