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County official explains equalization factor, outreach after surprise assessment notices
Summary
County staff explained why many taxpayers did not receive change-of-assessment notices this year, outlined the equalization-factor calculation (statutory 33.33% divided by the prior three-year median level), and described outreach and grant plans to help seniors and improve polling-place accessibility.
A county official told the finance committee on June 1 that many taxpayers who saw higher property values did not receive an assessment change notice because change notices are mailed only in quadrennial reassessment areas, not countywide every year. The official said the county uses a “blanket equalization multiplier” in years when a township is not on a quadrennial cycle and that process can cause confusion for residents.
"The equalization factor formula is the statutory level of assessments, which is 33.33% divided by the prior three-year average median level of assessment," the official said, describing the calculation the office uses to bring assessment levels to the statutory standard.
The official emphasized that township assessors are responsible for local revaluations and that the county applies a multiplier only after analyzing sales-ratio data provided by the state. She said if a township assessor fails to revalue properties when required, the state can step in and impose its own equalization factor; she warned that would risk the county losing 50% reimbursement of her salary if the state imposes the adjustment.
To address taxpayer confusion, staff are expanding outreach. The office has created a border-review website and an assessment guidance site, and staff will host a booth at the June 10 community health and resource fair to provide information on exemptions and appeals. The official said an ongoing exemptions project has identified seniors who were eligible but not receiving available exemptions and that the county will help them apply.
On accessibility for elections, staff described using temporary ballot call boxes and a remote-assistance system at rural gravel parking polling places where full van-accessible pads and ramps are impractical. Where physical fixes are required, staff said they plan to apply for grant funding to cover 100% of the work.
The meeting closed the assessment discussion with committee questions about appeals procedures, timing and how building permits and missed revaluations affect assessed values. The official urged residents with concerns to use the county’s appeals process and to attend local school-board meetings to understand how assessed value relates to local levies.
