League to roll out short explainer videos and handouts to help residents understand property tax
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Summary
Staff briefed the board on a contract for short animated videos and printable handouts designed to explain assessed value, who pays property tax, and how truth-in-taxation works; staff emphasized these materials are intended to supplement—not replace—local communications.
League staff told the board they have contracted with a production partner to produce a series of short animated explainer videos and companion handouts aimed at helping residents understand property-tax mechanics ahead of truth-in-taxation hearings.
"We're working with X Factor to complete 10 1-minute to 1.5-minute videos," said Kathy (board staff liaison for the outreach effort). "These videos are going to be animated and on a variety of topics ... like what is property tax, who pays it, who collects property taxes, and how to read your property tax bill." She emphasized the materials are intended to support local outreach, not replace municipal communications teams.
Staff framed the campaign as a response to public confusion about assessed value and growth. "When someone is upset ... the thing they often don't understand is that their property appreciates, and the cities aren't always capturing that inflation in the way residents expect," a board member commented; staff said the video series and handouts will highlight assessed value and how new growth factors into a bill.
The outreach plan also includes supplemental handouts tailored for smaller communities that may not rely on social media. Staff urged members who plan to go through truth-and-taxation hearings this year to ensure the materials are ready in time, and to coordinate with the League so the videos can be shared and adapted for local use.
Separately, staff noted legislative outcomes that affect municipal appointments (an Economic Development Council seat to be filled by the League) and a tax-increment-financing work group required to be formed by May 30; one seat on that work group will be appointed by the League.
Board members raised practical questions about distribution, how to present complex items simply, and ensuring the primary audience remains the general public. Staff said they would produce a guide for cities on how to use the videos and make handouts available by midyear.
