MonticelloLive

The Drew County Equalization Board has been hearing complaints, as well as valid cases of potentially unfair property tax assessments since August.

As stated in the article from one of their earlier meetings (see story below), they have felt for quite awhile that their “hands have been tied”.

The letter, which is being sent to Governor Mike Beebe, as well as legislators Jimmy Jeffress and Allen Maxwell, describes the boards situation in their letter like this….

“1. The huge cost to our schools and county, and ultimately the local taxpayers, of having re-apprasisals done every 3 to 5 years,  

2. CAMA’s use of older comparable sales to establish current values…are not in fact comparable to the depressed real estate values being presently experienced in out county

3. CAMA’s use of comparable sales from higher-priced areas of our county to establish values in other lower-prieced areas of our county. and

4. The fact that frozen property tax valuations for the elderly will immediately jump to a much higher valuation the moment they die, thereby putting an unreasonable burden on their children.”

The letter was signed by all 5 board members, Mickey Findley, Calvin Murphy, Bob Kizer, Cass Dattilo, and Bob Ware.

One of the Equalization Board members told MonticelloLive, “We felt that our hands were tied, because of state regulations.”  Adding, “There were some cases where we agreed that the taxes should be lower, but we couldn’t change them because of state laws.”

The “neighborhood” issue was a specific stumbling block, because regardless of a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, brick house’s location in the county, it is to looked upon equally, whether it is in Jerome, or near a more populated, affluent area. 

The letter’s closing paragraph begins with, “We believe that (the Governor) and the Legislature should revisit these laws pertaining to property taxation, and make them less costly and more fair to the taxpayers.”

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The following story posted on August 28, 2008.

Equalization Board Hears Tax Assessment Case Appeals

The Drew County Equalization Board met with county taxpayers Tuesday, and made 1 adjustment, out of 5 cases brought before them. That change involved an agricultural property, not a residence.

I was able to sit in on a couple of the cases, where landowners discussed why they felt that their properties had been recently appraised at a value higher than they could sell the property for.

While the landowners seemed to make a good case for themselves, as far as how much of an increase had been added, the board was basically restricted to follow state governmental requirements to “equalize” values of properties, not justify of they are correctly valued.  One man told how his assessment had increased by 39% in one assessment period.  His concern wasn’t just about his property, as he stated, “across the board, they (the new assessments) are too high”, adding, “it bothers me when the rules of a game are changed,” describing the overall re-assessment process.

The board seemed sympathetic to the citizens, but recommended that county taxpayers who disagree with the program as it is, contact their state legislators.

One board member said, “all of us basically agree with the taxpayers, because we’re taxpayers too.”

It was also noted that this problem isn’t just in Drew County, but statewide.

Ronnie Pack, representing the company who did the re-appraisals, told one gentleman, “right or wrong, it’s the law.”  He later said that the board is performing a service as “we’re governed”.

Pack told MonticdelloLive that a phone call took care of most of the concerned citizens questions.  He said that most callers asked about Amendment 79, which doesn’t raise property taxes for senior citizens, and about what will happen when property is passed on to a relative.

I spoke to a board member after the meeting.  He told me that according to state guidelines, “like neighborhoods” from different areas within a county, are to considered as “like neighborhoods”.  An example being a 3 bedroom house in the Selma area being considered relative in value to a 3 bedroom brick home in or near Monticello.

He emphasized again that “we don’t adjust the values for being high or low.  We’re responsible to make sure that they assessed equal.”

During the hearings, it was said that the legislature is looking at the issue, and that the best way to bring about a change is for taxpayers to contact their State Representative, and explain how they feel about the issue.

The equalization board will continue to hear cases on Tuesdays, until all of the scheduled cases have been presented.

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The stoty below posted on August 18, 2008

 Today is the last day request an appointment with the Drew County Equalization Board, which will be held on August 26, starting at 9 a.m. in the Jury Room of the courthouse.

Numerous Drew County taxpayers have called and reached agreements on their tax assessments, while several others have appointments to meet with the equalization board.

One way to begin the process is to contact the County Clerk’s office at 460-6260.  You need to have your tax assessment available to provide information about the land desctiption, or they will not be able to assist you, until you have the required information.

The re-appraisal process is described in a recent report from last months Quorum Court meeting, which you can read by clicking here.

Once again, today is the last day to request an adjustment or a meeting with the board.