Samantha Tincher, a fourth grade student at Risen Christ Lutheran School, is the proud owner of the Top Dog in Clark County for 2010. Raven, a stray pup, was given to Samantha by her grandmother, “so she could be mine,” Samantha wrote in her essay. Raven will wear the number one dog tag issued in Clark County.

Second place winner is Shyla Cordle, a fourth grade student at Lincoln Park Elementary School in Springfield, and third place winner is Zach Davis, a fourth grade student at Possum School in Springfield Township. Shyla’s dog Molly will wear top dog tag number two, while Angel will wear number three.

The annual top dog contest, available to all third, fourth and fifth grade students in Clark County, is held each year to stress the importance of dog licensing. “Our office will issue approximately 25,000 tags for 2010,” according to Clark County Auditor George Sodders.

The cost of licensing dogs in Clark County increases from $16 to $20 with the issuance of tags for 2010, according to Clark County Auditor George Sodders. The increase was approved by county commissioners earlier this year.

The county auditor’s office began mailing applications to dog owners on November 30th. The deadline for registration and licensing is February 1, 2010. After that, the cost of a tag doubles to $40. New dog owners must license their pet within 30 days of becoming the owner.

For a list of locations to purchase tags, go to the auditor’s web site at clarkcountyauditor.org or call 521-1862. The auditor’s office issued 24,152 tags for 2009 and collected over $346,824. The revenue is used to support the county’s humane society.

Clark County Auditor George Sodders has announced completion of the 2009 preliminary equalization of property values and the beginning of an open-book period for review by taxpayers. Sodders stated that “in consideration of the softening real estate market during 2007 and 2008, we have reviewed values and have identified some properties requiring a downward adjustment.”

“We have posted on our web page the values of parcels that have changed. If your value does not appear on the changed list, then your value for 2009 will be the same as it was for 2008, excepting for new construction or other changes to the property. I encourage property owners to visit our web page at www.clarkcountyauditor.org to review your changed value. If you have questions, please call us at 521-1878 or email appraisal@clarkcountyohio.gov.,” Sodders said.

“Our open-book period for taxpayer review and discussion will continue until November 6th,” Sodders concluded.

Clark County Auditor George Sodders announces the Annual Top Dog Contest.  

Promoting the Importance of Dog Licensing Animal Safety.

This contest is open to every 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Student in Clark County. Do you think your dog is the TOP DOG   living in Clark County?  If so, you could win a special #1 Top Dog license tag for your dog!

Contest Rules: 

The contest is open to all Clark County students currently in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.  You must write, in 100 words or less, why you think your dog is the Top Dog in Clark County. You will be judged on your essay.  The dog and the student must live in Clark County.  Only one entry per student.  Please PRINT or TYPE clearly. Each entry must have: Student’s name, Full Address, Telephone  Number, School, Teacher’s Name, Grade and Name(s) of Parent or Guardian. Entries must be the sole work of the contestant. Entries must be received in the Clark County Auditor’s Office by 4 P.M. November 20, 2009.  Entries may be mailed to the Auditor’s Office, P.O. Box 1325, Springfield OH 45501, or hand delivered to the Auditor’s Office at 31 N. Limestone Street, Springfield, Ohio.  The Top Dog will receive the #1 Dog Tag for 2010 and the 2nd and 3rd place dogs will awarded free special heart shaped dog tag valued at $30.00.

Download Top Dog Essay Form

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the County Auditor of Clark County, Ohio as required by Section 5721.03 of the Revised Code of Ohio, that on the 14th day of October, 2009 and the 21st day of October, 2009, the Delinquent Land Tax List will be published in the Springfield News-Sun, a newspaper of general circulation in Clark County.

This list will contain the names of owners of all lands upon which the real estate taxes, assessments, recoupment charges, penalties and interest, or either, remain unpaid at the August 2009 tax settlement, and still remain unpaid.

An interest charge will accrue on accounts remaining unpaid after the last day of November 2009 unless the taxpayer enters a written Delinquent Contract to pay such taxes in installments.

Installment payments may be made in accordance with a written Delinquent Contract with the Clark County Treasurer.

Installment payments WILL NOT prevent the publication of the balance of unpaid taxes, assessments, recoupment charges, penalties and interest.

PREVENTION OF PUBLICATION

Payment of taxes, assessments, recoupment charges, interest and penalties, IN FULL, if made no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 9th day of October, 2009 will eliminate those land owners names from publication on October 14, 2009, and payments made no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 16th day of October, 2009 will prevent publication on October 21, 2009.

GEORGE A. SODDERS

County Auditor, Clark County, Ohio

Clark County Auditor George Sodders says he won’t wait until next year’s state mandated triennial update to property values to conduct an analysis of changing local market conditions. “There is considerable evidence of significant changes in the Clark County real estate market during 2007 and 2008 that indicates a need to equalize real estate values throughout the county,” Sodders said.

“There was much controversy surrounding the revaluation of real estate required by the state for values effective on January 1, 2007. Needless-to-say, those values reflected market conditions that existed prior to slumping values in home prices starting in 2007. Misinformation, ax grinding, and just plain old political posturing left taxpayers confused about their property values,” Sodders explained.

“Our options are to either wait until the mandated Ohio triennial update in 2010 or adjust values now to reflect changing market conditions over the past two years. I have chosen not to wait because we have the resources to act now, and we should,” Sodders said.

“Our investment in technology, including a computer-assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) system enables us to respond more quickly to changing markets. In addition, we have integrated our CAMA system with our geographical information (GIS) system, including aerial and street-level photography. We now have all the tools to more economically pursue and achieve property tax equity for all property owners in our county,” Sodders emphasized.

Clark County is estimated to lose more than a quarter million dollars in local government funds next year, while the city of Springfield will lose nearly $300,000, according to George Sodders, county auditor and secretary to the Clark County Budget Commission.  Sodders said that the County Budget Commission, which approves local distribution of the funds, will get about $5.5 million next year to distribute to all the county’s political subdivisions.   “All subdivisions will receive less,” Sodders said.   The commission approved just over $6 million this year.

The Local Government Fund is funded by 3.68 percent of all state General Revenue Fund tax sources.   Sodders received the estimate from the Ohio Department of Taxation late last week.

“Keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates and are likely to change,” Sodders said.   ”For example, the total estimate given to the commission last year fell short by more than $200,000 and this year’s actual receipts are below estimate,” Sodders explained.

“As tax receipts continue to decline in the state’s General Revenue Fund, local government receipts will continue to slide, Sodders concluded.

“A new federal program officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System and dubbed “Cash for Clunkers” is triggering new scams over the Internet,” according to Clark County Auditor George Sodders. The program provides $3,500 or $4,500 credits to consumers who trade in less fuel-efficient cars or trucks that meet certain qualifications. While the program is scheduled for late this month, the scams are already showing up.According to Ohio’s attorney general, scammers often try to piggyback on new programs and this is no exception. Apparently, imposters are telling consumers they need to pre-register or provide their social security numbers to be part of the program, which is absolutely not true.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, consumers don’t need to register or obtain a voucher to benefit from the program. Instead, dealers will apply a credit at the time of purchase.

For more information on CARS, visit www.cars.gov.

Auditor George Sodders and Executive Director James Straley have partnered to offer pet owners a week to purchase licenses without penalty, from July 24 to August 1.

County Commissioners unanimously approved the measure Tuesday.

The owners may purchase the license for $16 from the Auditor’s office, 31 N. Limestone Street, the Humane Society, 5201 Urbana Road or at the Clark County Fair (located near the pony rides).  Satellite locations will not be participating.

After the amensty period, the cost of the license will double to $32.

For more information about the amensty week, please contact Regina Rollins at (937) 521-1862 ; or email auditor@clarkcountyohio.gov.

For the past several years, our office has implemented the latest technology designed to improve operational efficiency, while better serving all our citizens. To reach the twin goals of office transparency and citizen engagement, our website has been designed to be more useable, comprehensive and searchable.Taxpayers will now have a central location for one-stop inquiry of the numerous functions of the auditor’s office. With menu driven orientation, the site is more user friendly and easy to navigate. We have added a news column for the latest updated information and a contact list for quicker public response. Another new feature is the interaction of our website with Google mapping and directions.

To better serve citizens in the future, our plans include the implementation of online payment for dog licenses, vendor licenses, cigarette licenses and real property tax payments. We are excited about maximizing the utilization of modern technology for the convenience of all taxpayers. Our investment to improve operations was made with taxpayer dollars, and we intend to make that investment work for all our citizens.

The new website address is www.clarkcountyauditor.org.