Ohio law requires all 88 counties in the state to go through market value updates every 3rd and 6th year, and some counties are seeing an increase in property tax appeals as owners seek to lower new evaluations.
Andrea Weaver, elected Union County auditor, said there have been more appeals now than this time last year, but still not a notable amount. "Keep in mind the filing window is the same every year in all 88 counties. It's Jan. 1 through March 31 of every year, so people still have another two months that they can file. So we typically get the larger amount of filings coming closer to that deadline."
Weaver said there is no flat answer for how much property taxes have increased this year, but said median property value has risen across Union County in all 44 tax districts. "Yes, value went up all over the county. I would say a median number would be about 28 percent. Depends on where you live and then the taxes again would be reflective of the tax rate of where you live."
Looking forward, property owners in Union county can expect to see fixed rates for three years, unless they change the value of their home through improvement measures, such as through construction.
"Values usually only change once every three years and if it changes in the midst of those three years, it's because someone built on, someone tore down, or they filed a board of revision complaint," Weaver said.
Weaver said while ad valorem taxation (property taxes) can get confusing, it is important to educate yourself and reach out to county auditors whenever needed. "I just would encourage residents of the county to get involved, ask questions, do their research and get involved in their local governments in regards to how they are spending their money."