West Cleveland News

Seneca County Auditor Julie A. Adkins has announced an increase in property values, which will result in higher taxes for residents due to the State Mandated 2023 Revaluation Property Value update. This rise is attributed to robust property sales, inflation, and new levies.

As per The Ohio Bar, county auditors are required to conduct a reappraisal of each real estate parcel in their jurisdiction every six years. This process determines property values that, when multiplied by local tax rates, dictate real estate taxes. Both residential and commercial property owners have the opportunity to contest these values, with successful challenges potentially leading to reductions in annual property tax payments to the county. The year 2023 marks the reappraisal cycle for 28 counties in Ohio, including Seneca.

According to a press release, Seneca County has experienced unprecedented growth in the real estate market and inflation, resulting in unexpectedly substantial increases in property values. While this may surprise property owners, many levies adjust for the tax calculation, ensuring they collect only the initially voted amount. However, not all levies qualify for this adjustment, contributing to the anticipated increases on upcoming tax bills.

The press release further explains that Real Estate taxes are calculated based on voter-approved levies and a 10-mill legal provision supporting local entities. This involves multiplying the district's mills by only 35% of the property value to determine gross property taxes; credits are then subtracted for the net bill. Adkins attributes this upward trend to the 20 Mill Floor guarantee which ensures that every school district receives a minimum of 20 Mills or $20 per $1,000 of property value in tax revenue.

In another section of the press release, it is stated that property owners can manage tax-related information conveniently on the County Auditor's website. This includes charges, distribution summaries and property records. The first-half property tax payment deadline is set for February 16th. Adkins encourages residents to explore the website, which offers comprehensive details on the 2023 Revaluation Property Value update and tools to identify potential tax credits. The tax certification to the Treasurer's Office initiates the Board of Revision (BOR) complaint process, providing property owners until March 31st (extended to April 1st this year) to file property value complaints.