County property assessments expected to remain unchanged
Posted on Friday, August 1, 2008
BENTONVILLE Some Washington County residents will get a break on their property taxes this year because the county recently reexamined property assessments and were able to lower them by taking into account the recession the economy began to slink into in 2007.
Benton County residents, though, should not expect to get the same kind of break on their property assessments.
When asked if Benton County would follow Washington County and look at reassessing property values, County Assessor Bill Moutray said, Benton County is not going to do a thing.
Our reappraisal ended Dec. 31, 2007, and there is nothing in the law that says I have to do anything until the next calendar year, Moutray said.
Moutray pointed out 15, 557 parcels in Benton County saw a decrease in value a total decrease of $ 47, 326, 260. The assessor sent out 142, 300 value notices to property owners in early July.
Many property owners are questioning how their property values could have increased when the real-estate market is in the shape it is currently in and foreclosures are on the rise
We know that todays market is not what it was in 2007 and 2006. I am even questioning mine (property assessment ) because I am going, Holy cow, County Clerk Mary Lou Slinkard said.
Property owners who feel their assessed values are off will have an opportunity to take it up with the county via the Equalization Board, which meets from Aug. 1 until Oct. 1, but people will need to make an appointment with the board on or before Aug. 18.
After 5 p. m. Aug. 18, the county will no longer set up appointments to meet with the Equalization Board who can overturn property assessments for the following three reasons:
The assessment is unfair compared with other lands of the same kind that are similarly situated;
The assessment is clearly erroneous;
The assessment is manifestly excessive.
It was announced Thursday that the meeting place for the Equalization Board will be at the Benton County Administration Building on the third floor in room 305.
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