Board of Equalization approves tax‑list corrections after assessor cites miscalculated credits

At its Board of Equalization session, York County officials reviewed and approved tax‑list corrections after the county assessor reported miscalculated tax‑credit rates on mailed statements.

The assessor (S7) told the board the tax‑credit rates for non‑ag and ag land were not updated in the assessment system before statements went out, producing miscalculated statements and overcharges. "The tax rates for the tax credit rates for the non ag land and the ag land were not correct when statements went out...I discovered that during the tax list correction," S7 said.

The assessor said residential overcharges typically varied from roughly $6 to $12 in the sample he reviewed and that agricultural parcels could have larger adjustments. Staff described a plan to reprint corrected statements and either issue refund checks to those who already paid or apply the correction as a credit to second‑half payments. Treasurers and assessor staff will send letters to affected taxpayers explaining the correction and how any refund or credit will be applied.

Commissioners discussed the cleanest administrative approach and directed staff to generally apply the credit to second‑half payments for taxpayers who have not paid in full, and to issue refunds where appropriate. A motion to approve the tax‑list corrections was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

The board also noted the corrected total in initial estimates at roughly $111,000 affecting multiple political subdivisions and said they will work through distribution for other taxing entities per statute.

Next steps: the treasurer’s office will reissue corrected statements and refund checks where needed, apply credits to subsequent levies when agreed, and provide consistent talking points for staff answering taxpayer inquiries.