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.