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Moffat County assessor reports rising values, 265 protests and uncertainty over assessment rates and senior exemption
Summary
The assessor’s annual report showed property values rose and generated 265 protests; staff warned that split-assessment rate decisions and a likely removal of a senior exemption could complicate budgeting for local governments and affect senior taxpayers.
At the July 8 meeting the Moffat County assessor’s office presented its annual report, reporting that county property values increased, that 265 property protests were filed during the active protest period, and that uncertainty about split assessment rates and a likely removal of a senior exemption could affect local budgets.
Assessor staff said the state abstract format changed this year and that, “in the end, we did go up in value. We have gone up in a value by quite a bit.” The office noted the new split-assessment system creates separate assessment-rate choices for schools and other local governments; residential assessment-rate options discussed were 6.95% or 7.05% for schools and 6.15% or 6.25% for other local governments. Staff said state projections favor the higher rates but the final rates will not be known until the November Board of Equalization decision.
Staff provided protest and adjustment figures: 265 total protests were filed this year, of which 241 were residential and 24 were commercial. Of those, 110 properties were adjusted and 155 were denied. Staff reported no protests for personal property and said the office received one County Board of Equalization (CBOE) protest that will be passed on to the board.
The assessor discussed concerns about the senior exemption, saying it “looks highly likely that it will be removed” and acknowledging the change would reduce time for affected seniors to prepare for higher tax bills. County officials discussed whether the county could absorb part of the change to ease the burden on seniors and asked staff to check legal and budget options.
Staff also distributed an oil-and-gas report and other exhibits for commissioners’ review. The assessor’s office said it will return with any required follow-up information; commissioners noted the county will evaluate impacts on school and local government budgeting once the November rate decisions are final.
